Papers & Publications

This is a selection of publications, theses, and academic papers I produced (or supported) during the course of my studies & other professional projects.

I am happy to share these with anyone interested in the same topics, from sustainable tourism, to climate change, to social entrepreneurship.

Abstract: This publication is part of the ACMFN Flagship Report Series and Case Study Series and focuses on the cleantech financing ecosystem of India. The ACMFN Flagship Report Series provides an insight into the current cleantech financing state in the project countries China, India and Indonesia, identifies cleantech financing challenges and opportunities and showcases country-specific successes of the ACMFN project. The insights are useful for all stakeholders working on harnessing the power of financial markets to deliver environmental and societal goals, in particular project donors and financial institutions in China, India and Indonesia looking to understand the contours of a fast-growing cleantech financing ecosystem. 

Abstract: In the Dominican Republic (DR) the development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas is of great importance because SMEs generate employment and increase local capacity in areas with the highest poverty rates in the country. Ultimately, SME development can contribute to poverty alleviation especially in rural areas. In this context, micro-enterprise training is an important means for entrepreneurs to build capacities to develop their business. These capacities will enhance their ability to ensure sustainability of decisions that influence their quality of life. This study deals with the precise effects and overall effectiveness of SME-related training in the Dominican Republic.

Abstract: Dominican smallholder farmers have been facing numerous obstacles in the generation of sufficient income through cocoa production. Different diversification strategies, such as tourism, have therefore been considered by international and national development organizations. In order to identify promising diversification strategies in the global cocoa sector, which can contribute to poverty alleviation, this Master thesis entails a quantitative study on poverty impacts of the tourism project La Ruta del Cacao on the local population.

Abstract: Non-financial business support for eco-inclusive enterprises aims at strengthening enterprise’s internal organizational structure in order to stimulate their growth in a sustainable way. In SEED’s second White Paper on „Toolification“, SEED shares experiences from the past 15 years on non-financial business support, and it outlines how the use of tools in business support leads to long-term positive impact.

Abstract: With its communist history of nearly six decades, Cuba is one of the world’s last surviving communist states that is characterized by a very particular social welfare system. Since the experience of the Cuban revolution, the Cuban development model has been oriented to guarantee citizen’s entitlements as a key factor for economic growth.  Social policy forms a systematic political strategy in the center of this model. This comprehensive paper on the social policy strategies employed by the Cuban government examines the development of the “social purpose” of the State-directed Cuban economy, and it exposes the direction and changes taking place in the Cuban society based on this model.

Abstract: The South African Public Service has long been characterized by a number of inherited problems that have been recognized obstacles in effective public service delivery. The White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery (Batho Pele White Paper) published in 1997 had the purpose of dealing with transforming South African Public Service Delivery in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. This seminar paper analyses which theories of public sector management informed the approach adopted, in how far the Batho Pele White Paper is coherent with other policies, and it concludes with an evaluation of how successful the Batho Pele White Paper was in achieving its policy goals.

Abstract: In the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and in contrast to “top-down” approaches to development, a community-driven so-called “bottom-up” approach to solve global, national and local challenges has been widely recognized. One of the different visions for sustainable development that has been sweeping Latin America for the past two decades, is the concept of Buen Vivir. Due to the fact that its principles can be linked to the concept of Community-Driven Development (CDD) in many ways, this seminar paper examines to what extent Buen Vivir as an alternative vision for the future can be integrated into the widely used concept of CDD.

Abstract: Due to the adverse effects of climate change such as sea level rise, drought or floods, Small Island Developing States such as Grenada (West Indies) need to take numerous mitigation actions. The tourism sector is one of the leading sectors of Grenada’s economy, which is why the transition to sustainable practices in this sector deserves great attention in order to secure the long-term profitability of the sector. This Bachelor thesis discusses in how far perspectives and potentials exist for a sustainable tourism sector in Grenada.