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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the epidemiological value of monitoring wastewater into sharp focus. The challenges of implementing and optimising wastewater monitoring vary significantly from one region to another, often due to the array of different wastewater systems around the globe, as well as the availability of resources to undertake the required analyses (e.g. laboratory infrastructure and expertise). Here we reflect on the local and shared challenges of implementing a SARS-CoV-2 monitoring programme in two geographically and socio-economically distinct regions, São Paulo state (Brazil) and Wales (UK), focusing on design, laboratory methods and data analysis, and identifying potential guiding principles for wastewater surveillance fit for the 21st century. Our results highlight the historical nature of region-specific challenges to the implementation of wastewater surveillance, including previous experience of using wastewater surveillance, stakeholders involved, and nature of wastewater infrastructure. Building on those challenges, we then highlight what an ideal programme would look like if restrictions such as resource were not a constraint. Finally, we demonstrate the value of bringing multidisciplinary skills and international networks together for effective wastewater surveillance. © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V., Funding: Cardiff University's GCRF QR Funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

The data center industry’s rapid development raises questions about how to regulate data center locations and expansion, becoming a matter of high concern regarding Urban Planning. Data center facilities are commonly located and scaled (regarding power and size) responding to business profitability interests steered by the global market. This makes data centers lose the sense of belonging and relationship with the specific territory, with specific ecosystems where they are located. Urban planners’ role in data center establishments could guarantee the relationship and interaction with the local social, economic, and environmental ecosystems. The increasing concern about environmental problems, such as electronic waste streams, or energy consumption, and their impact on a local context makes the interplay between Urban Planning and Industrial Ecology a relevant field of research. The study of their relationship shows pathways to plan and enable the data centre industry transition towards a more sustainable approach. This thesis analyzes the data center establishments in a specific territory, Sweden, as a phenomenon. A phenomenon in which data centers perturbate the social, economic, and environmental ecosystems where established. Data centers consume a considerable amount of local resources: land, water, and electricity; consequently, they produce a considerable amount of excess heat from this electricity consumption. A pre-study of the data center phenomenon in Sweden showed that only 10% of the data centers established utilize excess heat to support other activities in the local context. This example shows that Sweden lacks strategies to mitigate data centers’ energy waste, and therefore might need to increase the strategic focus when planning data center locations to achieve a more sustainable management of the resources consumed and produced by this industry within the Swedish territory. When considering the territory as a frame for analysis, questions about, Datacenterbranschens snabba utveckling väcker frågor om hur man ska reglera dels val av plats för anläggningen, dels expansionen av datacenterbranschen som sådan, vilket är högst relevant för stadsplanering. Datacenteranläggningar är vanligtvis placerade och dimensionerade (avseende effekt och storlek) baserat på affärsintressen som styrs av den globala marknaden. Detta medför att datacenter i regel saknar tillhörighet och relation till den specifika platsen och platsens specifika ekosystem. Vid etablering av datacenter skulle stadsplanerare kunna garantera relationen och interaktionen med de lokala sociala, ekonomiska och miljömässiga ekosystemen. Men den ökande oro som finns för miljöproblem med datacenters, såsom elektroniskt avfall eller energiförbrukning, och deras påverkan lokalt motiverar till forskning om samspelet mellan stadsplanering och industriell ekologi. En undersökning av detta samspel kan visa vägen för planering av och möjliggöra övergång mot en mer hållbar datacenterbransch. Denna avhandling analyserar fenomenet; etableringarna av datacenter i Sverige. Ett fenomen där datacenteretableringar påverkar de sociala, ekonomiska och miljömässiga ekosystemen. Datacenter förbrukar en stor mängd lokala resurser i form av mark, vatten och elektricitet och från elförbrukningen produceras dessutom en betydande mängd överskottsvärme. En förstudie av datacenterfenomenet i Sverige visade att endast 10 % av de etablerade datacentren utnyttjar överskottsvärme för andra aktiviteter lokalt. Detta pekar på att Sverige behöver planeringsstrategier för att minska datacenters energiavfall, för en mer hållbar hantering av de resurser som förbrukas och produceras av denna bransch. När man väljer ett geografiskt område (som Sverige) som analysram frågor om skala och analytisk upplösning är av yttersta vikt. Forskare inom industriell ekologi menar att det inte finns en enkel analytisk hierarki från lokal till global nivå; i stället finns det flera sätt att avgränsa det rumsl

Although capacity development has been a key aspect of global aid policy for decades, success is limited. Capacity development is defined as a process, based on a partnership, to develop capacity to achieve a goal. The purpose of this thesis is to increase our understanding of why capacity development does not work as intended, and to inform the discussion on addressing the challenges. Two research questions were asked: 1) What are the principles and practices of capacity development? 2) Why is the current implementation of capacity development not leading to the desired results?Data were collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews with 115 participants from the international aid community. A framework of eight principles, four fundamental challenges and a typology of seven failures is presented. The results reveal significant gaps between theory and practice. The challenges stem from terminological and conceptual ambiguity, clashing principles, misguided accountability, risk aversion and the need for control. The aid system is built on short-term feedback, but capacity development requires long-term processes and commitment. Outdated worldviews, resistance to change, mindset lag, and power imbalances further complicate the situation.Based on the results, this thesis recommends an overhaul of the aid system, with power being redistributed along the aid chain. To develop sustainable capacities, three requisite types of capacity – technical, processual and contextual – are suggested. An equal partnership, flexible and adaptive roles, and mutual learning are crucial for capacity development to work. Effective capacity development requires donors and external partners to allow enough time, relinquish control, share risks, and embrace flexibility and adaptability over longer timeframes. Sustainability depends on the success of the principles, and the need for a mix of activities and methods.The principles need to be taken seriously so that the focus is not o

Although several studies have extensively discussed the role of intrapreneurs, individuals’ experiences of intrapreneurial processes in the academic context remain largely unexplored. The prominence of intrapreneurial logic in academia has led to increased institutional complexity and highlighting the need for an improved understanding of how to navigate multiple logics present at individual, organizational, and field levels to attain the desired intrapreneurial outcomes. To address these challenges, we propose an integrative framework that captures both organizational and individual-level responses to these multiple logics, while also incorporating intrapreneurial logic. Upon analyzing data from nineteen intrapreneurs across three universities, this study reveals that universities actively uphold the academic logic that intrapreneurs identify as a barrier, compelling them to refine their skills and actively hybridize logics by integrating multiple specific elements of intrapreneurship, teaching, and research. Simultaneously, universities incorporate intrapreneurial logic into their operational processes, even combining multiple logics, which intrapreneurs leverage within their own activities to push their ideas forward. The study offers implications for intrapreneurship literature, academic management, and policymakers to more effectively foster intrapreneurial activities., Funding: Forte [Forskningsradet om Halsa, Arbetsliv och Valfard]; [2018-00321]

While consumer engagement (CE) in the context of artificially intelligent (AI-based) technologies (e.g., chatbots, smart products, voice assistants, or autonomous cars) is gaining traction, the themes characterizing this emerging, interdisciplinary corpus of work remain indeterminate, exposing an important literature-based gap. Addressing this gap, we conduct a systematic review of 89 studies using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach to synthesize the AI-based CE literature. Our review yields three major themes of AI-based CE, including (i) Increasingly accurate service provision through AI-based CE; (ii) Capacity of AI-based CE to (co)create consumer-perceived value, and (iii) AI-based CE's reduced consumer effort in their task execution. We also develop a conceptual model that proposes the AI-based CE antecedents of personal, technological, interactional, social, and situational factors, and the AI-based CE consequences of consumer-based, firm-based, and human-AI collaboration outcomes. We conclude by offering pertinent implications for theory development (e.g., by offering future research questions derived from the proposed themes of AI-based CE) and practice (e.g., by reducing consumer-perceived costs of their brand/firm interactions).

In recent years, interactive evolutionary multiobjective optimization methods have been getting more and more attention. In these methods, a decision maker, who is a domain expert, is iteratively involved in the solution process and guides the solution process toward her/his desired region with preference information. However, there have not been many studies regarding the performance evaluation of interactive evolutionary methods. On the other hand, indicators have been developed for a priori methods, where the DM provides preference information before optimization. In the literature, some studies treat interactive evolutionary methods as a series of a priori steps when assessing and comparing them. In such settings, indicators designed for a priori methods can be utilized. In this paper, we propose a novel performance indicator for interactive evolutionary multiobjective optimization methods and show how it can assess the performance of these interactive methods as a whole process and not as a series of separate steps. In addition, we demonstrate the shortcomings of using indicators designed for a priori methods for comparing interactive evolutionary methods. IEEE, CC BY 4.0Date of Publication: 04 May 2023This research was partly supported by the Academy of Finland (Grant No. 322221) and is related to the thematic research area DEMO (Decision Analytics utilizing Causal Models and Multiobjective Optimization, jyu.fi/demo) of the University of Jyväskylä.

In an era where food packaging plays a dual role in both reducing food waste and contributing to global packaging waste, this study presents an analysis of packaging-free systems. As governments and organizations attempt to address the environmental impact of single-use packaging, packaging-free alternatives have emerged as a promising solution. However, there is a need for a comprehensive assessment of environmental sustainability and its alignment with consumer behaviours and preferences in this growing type of grocery system. Considering this need, this study employs an integrative literature review process, selecting 51 research articles. This selection was classified into three principal areas: the characteristics of packaging-free services, the dynamics of consumer behaviour and patterns from a household perspective. This review evaluates the effectiveness of packaging-free systems, exploring the factors that drive consumer adoption, the obstacles to transitioning and the relevance of theoretical frameworks like the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and practice theory (PT) in understanding and assessing the sustainability of these alternatives. The result of this study is the identification of significant research gaps and opportunities, leading to a comprehensive research agenda. This agenda emphasizes the need for a more refined understanding of consumer classifications that extend beyond standard demographic metrics, delving into aspects like household structures, dietary preferences and regional variations. The study highlights the limited scope of existing literature by advocating for a holistic grocery analysis that blends packaging-free and conventional shopping practices to understand more realistic grocery scenarios, as not all products are available in packaging-free alternatives. It also underscores the importance of integrating environmental assessments with consumer behaviour studies to see the sustainability of the systems beyond reusable contai

For over 15 years, the concept of Industry 4.0, now transitioning into Industry 5.0, has been a focal point for the manufacturing sector. Yet, the success of companies in embracing digital transformation varies. There are numerous models and assessment tools for assessing digital readiness and maturity. Several models have been developed over the years, but firms also realize no "one-size-fits-all" exists when testing them. Previous studies show that firms must take charge of their own digital transformation (DT) journey to find a path that suits their specific needs.This qualitative paper is driven by a case study supported by a within-case analysis conducted with a heavy-machine industry with fourteen production plants worldwide – data collected from 2020 to 2023. Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), created Factory 4 Tomorrow (F4T) to address Industry 4.0. The central challenge for the F4T initiative was how to facilitate an inside-outside approach to identify an inclusive maturity model that emphasizes learning and collaboration. A diagnostic of opportunities model was created to aid the organisation’s transformation journey. It aimed to support all plants by evaluating their maturity in digital transformation, identifying gaps, and support in prioritising. Unlike traditional models that assess and compare plant levels, this model aimed to foster awareness and alignment, establishing a shared language. Thus, a unique model was explicitly crafted for the firm. The process of developing the model itself enhanced awareness and alignment. Therefore, this paper explores the development process - failures and successes - to compile a digital transformation maturity model tailor-made to a firm’s needs and goals. The objective is to offer comprehensive advice for firms to implement DT initiatives effectively in a way that suits them.

Vi lever i en urbaniserad värld och mer än hälften av jordens befolkning bor i städer globalt. God tillgång och tillgänglighet till bostadsnära grönområden har påvisats öka vår psykiska och fysiska hälsa. Världshälsoorganisationen (WHO) och Förenta nationerna (FN) har båda antagit program med mål att öka och säkra tillgängligheten till grönområden. I detta examensarbete jämförs fyra olika metoder för att analysera nuläget av tillgång och tillgänglighet i Falkenberg. Analysen genomförs i tre steg. I steg 1 definieras de grönområden som ingår i analysen. I steg 2 jämförs buffert- och nätverksanalys och i steg 3 beräknas tillgängligheten med 2 modeller av Two-Step Floating Catchment Area metoden (2SFCA). De polygonbaserade beräkningar som sker med buffert- och nätverksanalys beräknar tillgången ensidigt och beräknar den spatiala tillgängligheten eller befolkningstrycket på ett grönområde. Med 2SFCA-metoderna kombineras tillgången och efterfrågan i samma analys. Analysen finner att cirka 90 % av invånarna i Falkenberg har tillgång till bostadsnära grönområden inom 300 meter, dock är både tillgång och tillgänglighet lägre i de centrala delarna av tätorten. I studien jämförs traditionella metoder för att beräkna den spatiala tillgängligheten så väl som nyare metoder. 2SFCA-metoderna beräknas med och utan avståndsviktning. I vidare studier vore det intressant att implementera en kvalitetsaspekt där så väl ett grönområdes kvalitet som dess avstånd avgör attraktionskraft., More than half of the world population live in cities or urban areas today. Urban green spaces (UGS) have been found to have an impact on the mental and physical well-being of urban citizens. The World health organisation (WHO) and United Nations (UN) both have set goals to increase and secure the accessibility to UGS, especially for children and young people. The aim of the study is to measure the spatial accessibility to UGS in Falkenberg, Sweden. The work consists of three steps. Step 1 is to define what constitutes a green space. Step 2 aims to compare buffer and network analysis to determine which method is best suited for the third step. Step 3 is to measure the accessibility by using the Two-step Floating Catchment Area Method (2SFCA) and thereafter integrate a Gaussian distance decay to the function and conduct the measures with the Enhanced two-step floating catchment area method (E2SFCA). Step 2 finds that there is no major difference in access to green space between the buffer and network analysis as approximately 90 % of the population have access to green space within 300 meters from their home. In step 3 the implementation of the 2SFCA Method finds that 13 % has no access to UGS and 41 % has a low accessibility score. By introducing the distance decay function the population with low-mid to high-mid accessibility score increases as well as the overall accessibility. This is due to the nature of E2SFCA which does not treat the distance threshold dichotomous. Further studies could benefit from implementing a probability function to the E2SFCA method to incorporate the attraction to a UGS by using the qualitative values in combination with the distance.

The collaboration between Swedish energy industry companies and municipalities is studiedin this thesis, along with how it affects eco-innovation projects. The urgent demand to reducegreenhouse gas emissions and slow down climate change is what motivates this research.Through the lenses of transition management and institutional theory, this research aims tofigure out how institutional forces shape the interactions, collaboration, and strategiesbetween municipalities and firms . Using a case study research design, this study focuses onSwedish municipally owned energy companies. Semi-structured interviews and documentanalysis are two methods used in data collection. The results show that collaboration betweenfirms and municipalities has a significant impact on how eco-innovation projects are carriedout through channels. The strategic and operational nature of this relationship influences bothshort-term and long-term sustainability objectives. It also emphasizes the significance of thechannels which are knowledge sharing, decision-making procedures, and strategy alignmentto the progress of eco-innovation. Potential paths for future research, such as studying thedynamics of collaboration in various situations and assessing the impact of differentownership structures on eco-innovation is identified.

In the context of complex and digitalized engineering projects, effectively orchestrating meta-knowledge that encompasses awareness of diverse expertise presents a significant challenge, as it requires crossing various boundaries. Situated expertise plays a critical role in this process, connecting individual or group-level meta-knowledge to wider expertise systems in projects. We report a case study exploring how group expertise boundaries influence situated expertise development in the oil and gas front-end project context. Through qualitative analysis, we underscore the role of permeable group expertise boundaries in fostering open situated expertise systems, allowing for meta-knowledge about individuals, groups, and digital technologies. This permeability is especially critical in innovative and non-contractual contexts. We identify four elements—strategy, structural design, interaction molding routines and roles, and digital boundary objects—that contribute to open situated expertise development. Our findings show that while digital boundary objects can mediate expertise boundaries by enabling communication and navigation of expertise in projects, the reach of situated expertise largely depends on interaction molding elements, particularly boundary-spanning roles. This study concludes by recommending that practitioners expand their meta-knowledge, rethink their strategic approaches to situating and utilizing expertise in projects, and carefully establish routines for using digital technologies to record and retrieve expertise.

Integrating electrochemically actuated soft robotics with ultra-flexible microelectrodes enables reversible and gentle wrapping around nerves for high-quality recordings.

Flexible electronics represent a viable technology for the development of innovative mechanical sensors. This paper reports a detailed study of electro-mechanical performances of Organic Field-Effect Transistor-based sensor, investigating the role of source-drain electrodes layout in combination with organic semiconductor morphology obtained by different patterning methods. Two different sensor structures, with interdigitated and spiral-shaped source and drain electrodes, are employed together with solution-processed organic semiconductors deposited by drop-casting or patterned by means of meniscus-guided printing. This technique allows the orientation of crystalline domains to specific directions, and was employed to provide anisotropic or isotropic semiconductor patterns onto the transistor's channel area. The different device configurations are tested as strain gauges and tactile sensors, by imposing anisotropic surface strain or complex deformations by means of custommade, 3D-printed indenters. A wise choice of device structure and semiconductor patterning allows optimizing sensing performances as a response to specific deformations: interdigitated devices with crystalline domains aligned along the channel length direction are ideal strain gauges, while sensors with spiral-shaped electrodes in combination with isotropic semiconductor patterning are preferential for reproducing the sense of touch, which deals with the transduction of more complex deformation patterns. These results pave the way to the development of innovative sensors in the field of flexible bioengineering, in particular for the development of wearable and e-skin applications for joint motion monitoring and tactile sensing., Funding Agencies|Gesellschaft fur Forschungsforderung NO (GFF) [LSC19-013]; Osterreichische Forschungsforderungs GmbH (FFG) [865864]

Research on digital transformation focuses on business models and technological innovation but it often lacks a detailed exploration of how firms develop, execute, and evaluate related and unrelated digital diversification strategies. To address this gap, this study employs a multiple case study approach to uncover the varied processes and outcomes of implementing digital diversification programs in established firms. The findings reveal that established firms frequently refine and adjust their digital diversification strategies to achieve desired results. Specifically, related digital diversification strategies benefit from well-defined market segments, clear technological focus, and robust senior management support. In contrast, unrelated digital diversification strategies thrive through extensive exploration and experimentation with novel digital technologies and markets, reduced senior managerial intervention and increased middle- and lower-level management involvement. Semi-related digital diversification strategies, which incorporate elements of both related and unrelated approaches, often encounter tensions owing to conflicting traditional and new program execution methods, posing significant realization challenges. Key factors identified as instrumental in the success of digital diversification strategies include technology, markets, management & organization, and program execution. The study concludes by discussing the managerial and academic implications and offers recommendations for future research in this domain., Funding Agencies|Vinnova [2018-02930, 2022-00301]; Energimyndigheten [2020-024533]

Envisioning the future amidst rapid digital transformation is a complex endeavour shaped by diverse perspectives and competing narratives. This paper explores how individuals connected to two different Universities perceive the impacts of digitalization and technological advancements on society. Through a Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) workshop, participants mapped out their predicted and preferred futures, revealing a range of scenarios – from widening economic divides and job losses due to AI, to visions of universal basic income and human-technology integration. The thematic analysis highlighted concerns about unchecked technological progress leading to societal downfall, environmental degradation, and declining mental well-being, contrasted with optimistic futures where empathy and human connection thrive alongside technological advancements. The study underscores people's subjective views on futures and importance of incorporating diverse voices and values when envisioning the future, as responsible innovation demands transparency and pro-active risk assessment.

Augmented reality smart glasses (ARSG) have been available as a commercial product since 2015. Many potential usage areas have been identified, including industrial use. The needs from industry have evolved, with more emphasis being put on sustainability. While ARSG can help improve efficiency and sustainability, there are also similarly associated costs to their implementation and use. This paper aims to present a process for how to choose ARSG for specific use cases as assembly operator support while considering the sustainability of their implementation. A narrative review of the literature was made to identify the current understanding of the environmental impact of ARSG, as well as what has been considered in regards to ARSG being integrated into a manufacturing environment. The analysis of the literature resulted in a proposed decision process. The decision process serves as a baseline for how to guide the decision of whether ARSG could be a suitable solution and, if so, what aspects to consider in the choosing of the ARSG model. Future work includes collaboration with industry to further improve the decision process based on empirical input., CC BY-NC 4.0 DEED© 2024 The AuthorsCorrespondence Address: O. Danielsson; University of Skövde, Sweden; email: oscar.danielsson@his.se

Purpose: This study offers practical insights into how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance responsible manufacturing within the context of Industry 5.0. It explores how manufacturers can strategically maximize the potential benefits of generative AI through a synergistic approach. Design/methodology/approach: The study developed a strategic roadmap by employing a mixed qualitative-quantitative research method involving case studies, interviews and interpretive structural modeling (ISM). This roadmap visualizes and elucidates the mechanisms through which generative AI can contribute to advancing the sustainability goals of Industry 5.0. Findings: Generative AI has demonstrated the capability to promote various sustainability objectives within Industry 5.0 through ten distinct functions. These multifaceted functions address multiple facets of manufacturing, ranging from providing data-driven production insights to enhancing the resilience of manufacturing operations. Practical implications: While each identified generative AI function independently contributes to responsible manufacturing under Industry 5.0, leveraging them individually is a viable strategy. However, they synergistically enhance each other when systematically employed in a specific order. Manufacturers are advised to strategically leverage these functions, drawing on their complementarities to maximize their benefits. Originality/value: This study pioneers by providing early practical insights into how generative AI enhances the sustainability performance of manufacturers within the Industry 5.0 framework. The proposed strategic roadmap suggests prioritization orders, guiding manufacturers in decision-making processes regarding where and for what purpose to integrate generative AI., CC BY 4.0© 2024, Morteza Ghobakhloo, Masood Fathi, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Mantas Vilkas, Andrius Grybauskas and Azlan Amran.Correspondence Address: M. Ghobakhloo; Division of Industrial Engineering and Management, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; email: morteza_ghobakhloo@yahoo.comThis research has been a part of a project that received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 810318.

The prevailing implementation and usage of contemporary lighting technologies and design practices in cities have created over-illuminated built environments. Recent studies indicate that exposure to electric lighting effects formed through spatial characteristics has visual, physiological, and behavioural effects on both humans and non-humans, such as wildlife. In order to gain a better understanding of the impact that electric lighting has on space and different organism groups, a comprehensive literature review was conducted applying PRISMA 2020 systematic review guidelines. Results of the searches from various databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus, identified 5260 related studies. A total of 55 papers connected to four themes: (1) urban morphology; (2) human visual impressions; (3) ecological impacts; and (4) design approaches and methods were analysed with a focus on urban morphology. The review provided the following general findings: lighting properties alone are inadequate to depict visual impressions of pedestrians, patterns formed through light interacting with spatial characteristics can contribute to understanding how spaces are visually perceived and help characterising the exposure of wildlife organisms to potential disturbances., QC 20240410

Production companies’ ambition to reach sustainable development goals, has resulted in a rapid strategic movement towards circularity in production. Previous studies have indicated that a transition to circular production is affirmed and a prioritised action. However, few studies describe how to operate a circular production, and how to perform the transition from linear to circular. To fill this gap, this paper aims to explore strategies for a seamless transition and to add new knowledge in this area. A multiple case study was employed for this purpose, based on production companies located in Sweden. Collected data were analysed by an inductive coding process. The coding process generated managerial themes that characterise the transition process in production operations. From the themes, three main incubators: management systems, standards and strategy, form together with drivers and blockers a framework called Integrated Circularity Management Systems (ICMS). The research presented in this study adds new knowledge to the field of circular production operations management as well as gives practical guidance for decision-makers in the manufacturing industry on how to initiate a circularity transition in an established production system., QC 20240617

This is the second part of a technical report related to the NorDark research project complementing the information in report part one that was published previously (Dincel, 2023). This document outlines the spectral properties of the measured results, such as the spectral power distribution (SPD) and related metrics, for example, the correlated colour temperature (CCT). The measurements were conducted in Sävja, Uppsala, for a specific day and timeframe during the period of November 2022 and February2023. In the first part of the technical report, the information, method and procedure of collecting data related to the measured illuminance and luminance levels on site are presented. This second part of the technical report complements the first part by including an overview summary of the gathered data including SPD and CCT at the horizontal ground and vertical eye level measurements recorded by hand-held spectrometer devices and wearable LYS button sensors. The work was conducted as part of the interdisciplinary research project NorDark., QC 20240628, NorDark

Solution providers are transitioning from product-centric models to service-oriented solutions. This shift has led to the rise of Product-Service Systems (PSS), which offer a holistic approach by integrating physical products with associated services. However, the inherent complexity and collaborative nature of PSS development present a significant challenge: information gathering, analysis, and knowledge building. This is further amplified in the early stages of PSS development due to data challenges such as uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity. This complicates informed decision-making, potentially leading to the risk of sub-optimal outcomes and impacting the success of final offerings. This research proposes an AI-powered data analysis approach to address these data challenges and augment the decision-making process of PSS development. The focus is on supporting early-stage decision-making, as decisions made at this stage greatly impact the success of final solutions. The research investigates how data can be utilized and visualized to extract actionable insights, ultimately facilitating informed decision-making. The presented research demonstrates that AI-powered data analysis effectively supports informed decision-making in early-stage PSS development. By extracting actionable insights from complex data, handling data limitations, and enabling informed strategic decisions, knowledge sharing, and collaboration are facilitated among stakeholders. Furthermore, integrating AI with visualization tools fosters knowledge building and a deeper understanding of system behavior, ultimately leading to more successful PSS solutions. The efficacy of AI-powered data analysis for handling diverse data types across application domains is demonstrated, potentially leading to benefits such as a deeper understanding of system behavior and proactive solution strategies. These advancements contribute to developing decision support systems specifically for PSS development. Overall

The accelerated rate of product development and design complexities offered by Additive Manufacturing (AM) has allowed for innovation in the space industry. However, the surface roughness of parts poses a challenge, as it impacts performance and is tied to design choices. Design tools for traditional manufacturing methods fall short in AM contexts, prompting the need for alternative design processes. This work proposes an experimental approach to design for AM investigation using design artefacts to explore a process-structure-property-performance relationship., Full text license: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0;Funder: EU regional growth project RIT; GKN Aerospace

Background: The exponential increase in user equipment (UE) units within mobile networks necessitates more efficient Massive MIMOalgorithms. To address this demand, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into various network aspects is gaining traction. Goal: This thesis explores the feasibility of employing a lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) to optimize port selection in single-usermultiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO) networks. Port selection, a critical component of all forms of MIMO networks, determines theoptimal ports on a UE for data transmission. The objective is to enhance selection speed, reduce computational complexity,and minimize memory consumption. Method: The methodology involves a quasi-experiment where a CNN model, trained on data transfer logs between a basestation and a UE, specifically a mobile phone, is compared with a self-implemented version of the port selection algorithm utilised in Ericssonbase stations. The evaluation criteria include time-, computational-, and spatial complexity. The accuracy of the port selection capabilities of themodels is also recorded. Results: Despite the complexity of the CNN models, the results indicate subpar performance and low test accuracies.This suggests that achieving satisfactory performance would either necessitate an increased model complexity and size or that a convolutionalneural network is not the correct choice for replacing the algorithm. Conclusion: In conclusion, the thesis finds that a lightweight CNN may not be the optimal solution for port selectionoptimization in SU-MIMO networks. However, it suggests potential avenues for further research to explore alternative approaches to this task., Bakgrund: Den exponentiella ökningen av användarutrustning (UE-enheter) inom mobila nätverk kräver mer effektiva massive MIMO-algoritmer.För att möta detta behov har intresset för att integrera artificiell intelligens (AI) i olika delar av de modila nätverkan ökat mer och mer. Mål: Denna avhandling utforskar möjligheten att använda ett lättviktigt konvolutionellt neuralt nätverk för att optimera port selection i single usermultiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO) nätverk. Port selection, en viktig komponent i alla former av MIMO-nätverk, avgör de optimala portarna på enUE för dataöverföring. Det slutliga målet är att förbättra valhastigheten, minska beräkningskomplexiteten och minimeraminnesanvändningen, jämfört med den nuvarande algoritmen som används på Ericsson basstationer. Metod: Metodiken innefattar ett kvasiexperiment där en CNN-modell, tränad på dataöverföringsloggar mellan en basstation och en UE, specifikt enmobiltelefon, jämförs med en egenimplementerad version av portvalsalgoritmen som används i Ericssons basstationer. Utvärderingskriterierna inkluderartids-, beräknings- och rumskomplexitet. Även noggrannheten i portvalsmodellerna mätes. Resultat: Trots den komplexa naturen hos modellerna indikerar resultaten undermålig prestanda och låga testnoggrannheter.Detta antyder att för att uppnå tillfredsställande prestanda antinge skulle kräva en ökad modellkomplexitet och storlek, eller att ett konvolutionelltneuralt nätverk inte är den optimala lösningen för att ersätta den nuvarande algorithmen. Slutsats: Slutligen konstaterar avhandlingen att ett konvolutionellt neuralt nätverk inte är den optimala lösningen för optimering av port selectioni SU-MIMO-nätverk, då ett lättviktigt sådant inte kan uppnå en acceptabel prestanda. Dock föreslår den potentiella riktningar för vidare forskningför att utforska alternativa tillvägagångssätt för denna uppgift.

Background. Digital simulations of physical scenarios are becoming increasingly feasible and driverless vehicles are playing an ever growing part in contemporary mining operations and have the potential to increase productivity and worker safety. Such vehicles require sensors to detect their environments, two of the most common types being LiDAR and RADAR sensors. LiDAR sensors are sensitive to atmospheric sensory pollutants whereas RADAR sensors typically are not, but more susceptible to echoes. As such, digital simulations of such sensors seem a viable alternative to reduce costs and risks in testing new hardware. Objectives. This thesis aims to adapt existing models for CPU simulated LiDAR and RADAR sensors to the GPU as well as to further develop their functionality. These models will then be evaluated against one another according to their performance and scalability. Methods. The stated goals are achieved through the method of literary research, implementation, experimentation, and gathering of data. This data will then be structured, analyzed, and discussed to reach conclusions about the developed software models. Results. The results show that GPU accelerated sensor models have a high overhead cost compared to CPU implementation which hampers performance for low intensity simulations. GPU implementations do however scale more efficiently in many scenarios and achieved speedups of up to 650 times when executed on DXR shaders with heavy workloads than equivalent tests on the CPU. Likewise, low workloads appear unfit for GPU accelerations as the overhead cost of streaming data and instructions between the CPU and GPU can take over twice as long as merely executing the same instructions on the CPU. Conclusions. In conclusion, GPU accelerated ray tracing sensor simulations can be highly efficient compared to CPU implementations when tracing large numbers of rays or simulating many concurrent sensors, but may result in increased execution time if the workload is n, Bakgrund. Digitala simuleringar av fysikaliska fenomen blir mer och mer görbara och självgående fordon spelar en allt större roll i dagens gruvoperationer. Dessa fordon har möjligheten att öka produktiviteten för företaget och säkerheten för arbetarna. Sådana fordon behöver sensorer för att finna sig i sin omgivning och LiDAR- och RADAR-sensorer är två av de vanligaste alternativen. LiDAR-sensorer är känsliga för luftburna störningsmoment medan RADAR-sensorer är jämförelsevis opåverkade men känsliga mot ekon. Med detta i åtanke verkar digitala simuleringar av sådana sensorer vara ett lovande alternativ för att sänka kostnader och risker med att testa ny hårdvara. Syfte. Syftet med arbetet är att översätta befintliga CPU modeller för att simulera LiDAR- och RADAR-sensorer till GPU-programvara såväl som att vidareutveckla deras funktionalitet. Dessa modeller kommer sedan att bli utvärderade gentemot varandra vad gäller deras prestanda och skalbarhet. Metod. De givna målen kommer att uppfyllas via litterära studier, implementation, experimentering och datainsamling. Denna data kommer sedan att bli omstrukturerad, analyserad, diskuteras, och få slutsatser dragna kring sig gällande den mjukvara som utvecklats och framförts. Resultat. Resultaten visar att GPU-accelererade sensormodeller har en hög overheadkostnad jämfört med CPU implementationerna, vilket sänker deras relativa prestanda i lågintensitetssimuleringar. GPU-implementationerna har dock högre skalbarhet i många situationer och kan uppnå resultat upp till 650 gånger snabbare än originalkoden när de istället utförs via DXR-shaders med hög arbetsbörda. Likaså är framstår låg arbetsbörda som opassande scenarion för GPU accelererad mjukvara då exekveringstiden på CPUn kan komma att bli snabbare än overheadkostnaden av att strömma datan och instruktionerna till GPUn. Slutsatser. GPU accelererad raytracing med stora antal strålar eller sensorer som exekveras samtidigt ger upphov till mycket tidseffektiva simuleringar

The widespread adoption of containerization for application deployment emphasizes the need for improved performance and efficiency, particularly in Java Virtual Machine (JVM)-based applications. Traditional JVMs often struggle with resource efficiency and long startup times, leading to increased operational costs and a larger environmental footprint. This is especially significant in microservices architectures where resource optimization is crucial for sustainability and cost-effectiveness. This thesis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of GraalVM’s Ahead-of-Time (AOT)compilation and native image support in enhancing the performance of JVM-based applications within a microservices architecture. The focus is reducing startup times, improving resource utilization, and overall operational efficiency at Ericsson, contributing to a greener economy. The research involved migrating a JVM-based program to run on GraalVM. Systematic performance tests measured key metrics such as startup time, memory usage, and performance. Semi-structured interviews with industry professionals were also utilized to gather qualitative insights into the migration challenges and benefits. The results indicated that native images significantly reduced startup times and memory usage compared to standard JVMs. Profile Guided Optimization (PGO)massively increased performance but at the cost of compilation time, memory usage, and build size. Interviews revealed that developers are cautiously optimistic about the benefits of AOT compilation with GraalVM but also revealed major concerns about complexity and compatibility. GraalVM’s AOT benefits make it a viable option for both microservice and serverless architectures. However, the decision to adopt GraalVM requires careful consideration of the trade-offs. These include larger build sizes, longer compilation times, and the need for specialized knowledge to maintain stability. Future work should focus on case studies in real-world environments to furt

Recent geopolitical and economic crises underline the need for a European transition towards a more sustainable food system. Scholars and policymakers have called for a re-territorialization of food production to strike a better balance between local, regional and global value chains. This paper explores the role of re-territorialization through an analysis of the emergence, development and current transformation of the Swedish wild berry value chain. The analysis combines the multi-level perspective on sustainability transitions with a socio-techno-ecological system approach and draws on interviews, informal conversations, participant observations and a range of secondary sources. The resulting case narrative shows how processes of de-territorialization may result in regimes that fail to address sustainability potential and problems. It also highlights that processes of re-territorialization challenge established regimes by promoting niches that represent different, albeit complementary, value chain configurations. Apart from a rich empirical narrative that brings useful knowledge to stakeholders to the Swedish wild berry value chain, the paper contributes to the theoretical understanding re-territorialization, shows how the ecological dimension can be accounted for with the multi-level perspective on sustainability transitions and presents a number of general policy implications.

CONTEXT Driven by strategic objectives such as regional development, increased domestic value added, improved labour conditions and reduced environmental impacts, a range of actors are pursuing innovation related to the Swedish wild berry value chain. OBJECTIVE Our objective is to analyse the structure, functions and directionality of the Swedish wild berry innovation system and draw implications for ongoing efforts to develop the value chain. METHODS Our study is based on 18 semi-structured interviews, participant observations and a range of secondary sources. We use an analytical framework based on the agricultural innovation systems approach and pay specific attention to reflexivity, directionality and non-human materiality. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The Swedish wild berry innovation system is fragmented as incumbent berry companies are absent from efforts to develop and reconfigure the value chain. The fragmentation is a result of the partly conflicting objectives among actors in the innovation system. There is a need for broader governance networks to navigate trade-offs and enable the commercialisation of new solutions. Successful innovation likely hinges on institutional change, particularly when it comes to efforts to improve labour conditions for migrant workers. SIGNIFICANCE Our study contributes empirically to research on non-timber forest product value chains and offers insights for actors pursuing innovation related to Swedish wild berries. We contribute to theoretical development in the agricultural innovation systems literature by incorporating attention reflexivity, directionality and non-human materiality.

This paper describes the methodology used to create a fuel data library comprising safeguards-relevant quantities that may be useful for verification of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) produced by simulating a concept Molten Salt Reactor (MSR). The Monte-Carlo particle transport code, Serpent2 and the calculation code SOURCES 4C were used to compile this fuel data library. The data library is based on the Compact Molten Salt Reactor (CMSR) concept being developed by Seaborg Technologies (based in Copenhagen, Denmark). The library includes data such as nuclide mass densities for a total of 1398 nuclides (in g/cm3), as well as total decay heat production (denoted by suffix the ‘TOT_DH’) in Watts, total gamma photon emission rates (denoted by the suffix ‘TOT_GS’) in photos per second, and the total activity (denoted by suffix ‘TOT_A’) in Becquerel. Lastly, the data also includes total neutron emission rates from 1) spontaneous fission (denoted by ‘SF’ and reported in neutrons per second per cm3), and 2) (ɑ, n) reactions (denoted by ‘AN’ and reported in neutrons per second per cm3) for the fuel salt. These quantities are reported for a range of burnup-initial enrichment-cooling time (or collectively known as, BIC) parameters. The resulting fuel data library is an extension of a previously published data library for the same reactor concept but with one significant change. The current library is based on a more realistic model of the CMSR involving movement of gaseous and volatile fission products (GFP and VFP) from the core via an Off-Gas System (OGS). The dataset is made available for public use in a compressed binary format as an HDF5 (or Hierarchical Data Format) file that can be parsed using data analysis tools such as Pandas., Order of authors in the list of papers of Vaibhav Mishra's thesis: V Mishra, E Branger, S Grape, Zs Elter, S Mirmiran

The escalating demand for sustainable business practices underscores the necessity of identifying and adopting innovative solutions tailored for enduring success. This study probes the critical questions of what distinguishes certain entrepreneurs as frontrunners in implementing sustainable solutions and how their practices can serve as blueprints for widespread adaptation. The gap this research addresses hinges on a detailed understanding of the mechanisms through which these entrepreneurs’ commitment to sustainability catalyzes broader organizational and cultural changes. Employing a qualitative case study methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with six entrepreneurs renowned for their pioneering sustainability initiatives. The findings illuminate commonalities among these leaders, including a profound interest in sustainability issues and the courage to pioneer novel, sustainable practices. Their enthusiasm effectively permeates their respective organizations, fostering an environment ripe for continual sustainable evolution. The study contributes significantly to the literature by elucidating how personal commitment in leadership can translate into comprehensive organizational change, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in organizational practices. Furthermore, it provides practical implications by showcasing that sustainable development is an ethical imperative and a viable strategic approach that can enhance competitiveness and stakeholder engagement. The recommendations in this study advocate for businesses to cultivate leadership qualities that champion sustainability, encourage cultural shifts towards sustainable practices, and develop robust frameworks for sustainability integration across all operational levels.

This article is a companion to “Pride: Alternative Entrepreneurship Enjoyed,” a videography about the company Prezi’s engagement in the Budapest Pride parade. The aim is to advance video ethnographic methods within Organization and Management Studies (OMS) based on Agamben’s profanatory philosophical method, which puts into focus abstract “sacred” concepts and returns them to the sphere of the profane—of the everyday. A profanatory approach of use for OMS accounts for organizations, brands, and management in a way that do not reproduce their “sacredness”—entrepreneurial myths and management clichés. Instead, by opening them up to critical exposure, they can be moved from a “religious canon” of communication strategies, press releases, and policy documents, to everyday profane work. Through a methodological discussion of the videography, we show three ways in which profanation re-positions the myth of alternative entrepreneurship: by engaging in the logic of the sacred, by playing with notions of inside and outside, and by using musical soundtrack as an expressive tool. We suggest that these methodological strategies advance the analytical possibilities within video ethnography, also useful for other organizational phenomena, especially when economic interests are combined with ambitions of social change and ideals of self-realization.

This licentiate thesis gives a summary of electrical characterisation techniques, detailing their use to investigate and understand stability and meta-stability in thin-film solar cells, with a focus on the chalcopyrite material system. Experimental data is used to illustrate the information that can be extracted with these measurements, highlighting the deeper insights that can be drawn from complementary measurements. For example, short-circuit current losses in (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 after prolonged storage and annealing are attributed to changes in the net doping, as are significant open-circuit voltage losses observed after lightsoaking. Characterisation is also shown to suggest that the amount of Ag in the alloy plays a significant role in its stability, with a similar significance indicated for Ga.

Sustainability has become a critical issue due to global warming, scarcity of resources, and the high costs of raw materials. It is vital to reconsider linear business models and value creation processes and transition towards circularity. The growth of the electric vehicles market is promising; however, it comes with a major downside. Soon there will be a considerable number of used batteries without the original capacity and potentially hazardous that cannot go to landfill due to environmental and economic reasons. In this regard, the use of electric vehicle batteries in second life (EVBSL) is suggested as a solution. EVBSL comes with benefits such as the extension of the battery life cycle, extracting value from the remaining capacity of the battery, reduction in the upfront costs of the electric vehicle, and create new revenue streams for the companies. And since various actors are involved in EVBSL, it is essential to study this phenomenon from an ecosystem perspective. Despite the recent focus of researchers on EVBSL, there are several gaps in the current literature on this topic. The first gap concerns the challenges and enablers of implementing circular business models (CBMs) for EVBSL. The second gap concerns the second life operations of electric vehicles (EV). There is a lack of research on the solutions that can guide the ecosystem actors to manage EVBSL-related activities. And the third gap concerns the limited research on the preconditions of circular business model innovation for the EVBSL that focuses on the transition from linear business models to CBMs. Therefore, this thesis aims to develop knowledge of the factors that influence the implementation of CBMs for EVBSL from an ecosystem perspective. This study intends to address these gaps by conducting qualitative research. An exploratory research design has been deemed adequate due to its flexibility and compatibility. This research draws on the existing literature on the second life of EV batterie, RECREATE project

Monitoring is hugely important for musicians in any type of live situation for them to provide a good musical performance, and In-ear Monitoring (IEM) is increasingly popular among both musicians and audio engineers. Despite this, there has been little research on the topic and musicians and audio engineers would benefit from knowing more about the system, to utilize it in the best way possible. Because of the potentially added issues with structure borne sound, the study has chosen to focus on vocalists that use IEM. Through interviews with both Less experienced IEM users and Experienced IEM users, this study aims to find out what issues IEM users experience in live situations. Other than perceived issues, the study investigates how issues evolve with increased experience, comparing the two user groups, what solutions can be found and how an IEM mix should be for a vocalist. Through a Thematic analysis, the study reaches the conclusion that the main issue with the IEM system for vocalists is isolation from the surrounding world, and that the isolation leads to other perceived issues such as worsening the live feeling and obstructing contact with the audience. The study also concludes that there is a clear connection between monitoring and musical performance with poor monitoring leading to worse performance. The main solution observed is habit with the system, good communication between the audio engineers and musicians and an understanding for both sides workflow to increase efficiency in mixing. With this knowledge, further research can be made to increase the understanding for musicians and audio engineers respectively, and audio engineers and musicians can already focus on increasing cooperation.

Räddningsinsatser i undermarksanläggningar kan vara komplexa och kräva såväl kunskap som stora resurser. Spårtunnlar är dock generellt sett lättare att orientera sig i då tågtrafiken kräver relativt raka tunnlar utan stora lutningar. Om tunneln inte försetts med brännbar kondensisolering gör bergets eller betongens ytskikt och egenskaper att risken för övertändning är försumbar utom exempelvis inuti ett fordon eller i slutna teknikutrymmen. Detta gör att behovet av släckvatten för självskydd längre bort från branden är liten och att behovet av snabb och effektiv förflyttning vid rekognosering och avsökning motiverar förflyttning utan samtidig slanguppbyggnad. Inom Ostlänken-projektet har ett insatskoncept tagits fram, där huvudsaklig förflyttning sker i en brandtekniskt avskild servicetunnel och förflyttning från närliggande tvärtunnlar till en plats på säkert avstånd från branden sker i det drabbade tunnelröret. Förflyttningen från tvärtunneln mot branden föreslås ske utan samtidig slanguppbyggnad i de fall detta kan ske utan risk för den enskilda rökdykaren. Insatskonceptet för Ostlänken bygger också på att räddningstjänsten ska kunna dra nytta av de tekniska installationer som projekterats som stöd för utrymning, exempelvis belysning i handledare ovan gångbana. Projektet har genomförts i syfte att studera förflyttnings- och avsökningshastigheter i spårtunnelmiljö utan samtidig slangdragning, samt för assisterad förflyttning med bår eller med spårgående räddningstralla. Målsättningen var att påbörja insamlandet av ett vetenskapligt underlag som kan användas i verifieringen av insatskoncept liknande Ostlänken och vid andra tillfällen när bedömning av räddningstjänstens förmåga eller metoder behöver genomföras. Rökdykarnas hastighet vid avsökning var snabbare än vad som visats i andra försök med samtidig slanguppbyggnad. Avsökningshastigheten var ca 0,5–0,6 m/s gående på gångbana och ca 0,6–2,0 m/s när avsökningen skedde från räddningstrallan. Ljusförhållandena var, This report describes the experiments that were carried out in Citybanan at the end of 2022. The aim of the project was to study the searching speed and the moving speed of firefighters without simultaneous hose build-up in a modern rail tunnel. The moving speed was also measured during transport of injured on an ambulance stretcher and with a rail rescue trolley. The results showed considerably higher searching and moving speeds both with and without the use of the trolley. The findings support continued development of fire and rescue methods without simultaneous build-up of a hose system, in smoke-filled tunnel environments further away from the fire. The use of thermal image cameras in combination with continuous handrail emergency lighting proved to be a necessity for firefighters’ perception of safety., Funding: TRV 2020/46128

Sales of electric vehicles doubled in 2021 compared to the previous year and nearly 10% of the global new-car sales were electric in 2021. In the recent IEA Global EV Outlook 2022, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden were reported to have the highest electric car shares of the new car market: 86%, 72% and 43%, respectively. Electrification of transport has multiple benefits but has also raised some concerns. For example, the use of rare metals and their sourcing are concerns from an environmental perspective, the capacity of the electricity network and the limited number of charging stations has been raised as an implementation barrier, and the new fire and explosion risks of batteries have caused concerns amongst users, property owners and rescue services alike society.Fires starting in the traction batteries (lithium-ion battery) are rare but if the battery catches fire, it can be difficult to extinguish since the battery packs are generally well protected and difficult to reach. To cool the battery cells, firefighters must prolong the application duration of suppression agent. This generally results in use of large amounts of water/fire extinguishing agent, which could carry pollutants into the environment.In this work, extinguishing water from three vehicle fires as well as from one battery pack fire has been investigated. Large-scale fire tests were performed with both conventional and electric vehicles. Tests were performed indoors at RISE, Borås, which also allowed analysis of combustion gases for both inorganic and organic pollutants in the gas and liquid phase.It was found that nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese and hydrogen fluoride appeared in higher concentrations in the effluents from the battery electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery compared to from the internal combustion engine vehicle. However, lead was found in higher concentrations in the effluents from the internal combustion engine vehicle, both in the combustion gases as well as in the extinguishing, Funding: Energimyndigheten 48193-2

Servitization increases uncertainty and complexity in manufacturing firms by introducing dynamic interdependencies within and between organisations. This study proposes the conceptual lens of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) to frame manufacturers’ service delivery systems and a hybrid simulation approach to explore the dynamic interdependencies of their servitization journeys. The case of a boiler manufacturer transforming to a provider of Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS) is used to examine the dynamic interdependencies between the growth of a service business, digitalisation efforts and operational efficiency as well as the interaction between the emerging service- and existing product business. The findings indicate that the manufacturer will experience an initial ‘cost-shock’ which will significantly decline as service delivery optimises and diagnostic accuracy improves. The study contributes to the servitization literature by introducing CAS as a theoretical perspective and hybrid modelling as a practical approach to explore and reconcile the strategic and operational dimensions of servitization., Funding: European Union [721909]; UKs Engineering and Physical Science Research Council through the Digitally Enhanced Advanced Services NetworkPlus [EP/R044937/1]; EPSRC

Syftet med rapporten är att undersöka hur autonoma bussar kan tillgängliggöras till barn med mild intellektuell funktionsnedsättning, med utgångspunkt i de autonoma bussar som idag rullar på Campus Valla vid Linköpings Universitet. Föräldrar agerar i detta fall grindvakter, då det är de som bestämmer huruvida de tillåter sina barn att åka med de självkörande bussarna eller inte. För att bemöta föräldrarna undersöktes deras attityder gällande autonoma bussar och hur denna kan förbättras. Även vilka funktioner som bör finnas i autonoma bussar för att öka deras villighet att låta deras barn färdas ensamma i bussarna undersöktes. Intervjuer och en workshop genomfördes med föräldrar, såväl som syskon och skolpersonal för att få en omfattande bild av barn med intellektuell funktionsnedsättning. Generellt är föräldrarna negativa till att låta deras barn färdas ensamma med dagens autonoma bussar,men ser positivt på framtiden om de utformas med hänsyn till individer med intellektuell funktionsnedsättning. Funktioner som gör att barnen känner sig trygga ombord på bussarna i kombination med inskolning, skapar i sin tur trygghet hos föräldrarna. Detta kan göras genom att implementera befintliga hjälpmedel som barnen använder till vardags, exempelvis Time Timer och bildstöd. Övervakningskameror var också något föräldrarna gemensamt tyckte skulle vara gynnsamt på bussen. De ansåg att de skulle öka tryggheten på bussen på flera vis, både genom att de möjliggör att personal i ett kontrollrum kan övervaka resan men även att de skulle finnas filmbevis ifall något olyckligt sker under bussens färd. Föräldrarnas önskemål mynnades ut i funktionsriktlinjer som är tänkta att implementeras vid utformningav framtidens autonoma bussar., The purpose of the report is to examine how autonomous buses can be made accessible to children with mild intellectual disabilities and is based on the autonomous buses currently operating at Campus Valla, Linköping University. In this case, parents act as gatekeepers, as they are the ones who determine whether they allow their children to ride the self-driving buses or not. To address parents' concerns, their attitudes towards autonomous buses and how they can be improved were investigated. The report also explores the features that should be present in autonomous buses to increase parents' willingness to let their children travel alone on the buses. Interviews and a workshop were conducted with parents, as well as siblings and school staff, to gain a comprehensive understanding of children with intellectual disabilities. Generally, parents are negative about letting their children travel alone on current autonomous buses but have a positive outlook on the future if they are designed with consideration for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Features that create a sense of security for children on board the buses, combined with practice, in turn, generate a sense of safety for parents. This can be achieved by implementing existing aids that children use in their daily lives, such as Time Timers and visual supports. Surveillance cameras were also something the parents collectively believed would be beneficial on the bus. They believed that cameras would enhance safety on the bus in multiple ways, both by enabling personnel in a control room to monitor the journey, as well as providing video evidence in case of any unfortunate incidents during the bus ride. The parents' preferences resulted in functional guidelines intended to be implemented in the design of future autonomous buses.

Oita University in Japan has created a meeting space called the Global Village that was inspired by Marshall McLuhan's (1962) theory that globalization contributes to an increased community between people from different parts of the world. It was created to increase interaction among students on campus and is intended for both international and local students. The vision for the place is for individuals to exchange information, knowledge, ideas, and cultures which promotes knowledge exchange and shared learning. However, the University of Oita faces a challenge regarding the Global Village as there is a lack of participation and interaction in the place. Which leads to the vision of Global Village not being fulfilled. The purpose of this thesis is to study how the students experience the Global Village. This was done to gain an understanding of how the place works and to develop ideas to improve the Global Village with the support of the co-creation perspective. Co-creation is about collaboration between individuals who could create some kind of value in the form of new ideas and solutions. Based on the problems identified in the study, the improvement ideas have been inspired by the co-creation theory to include in the Global Village at the university. The study was based on a qualitative approach to answer the research questions and there were several semi-structured interviews conducted with students from Oita University. The study found that open innovation has some factors that are important for developing the concept of the Global Village. And to make it a well-functioning co-creation space that provides value for the students. Those factors that were used within open innovation are networking and value creation, which were an inspiration to create a model. The different solution in the model is based on the problems that were identified in the Global Village. The model contains several different solution proposals to improve the Global Village at Oita Univers, Med inspiration av Marshall McLuhans (1962) teori om att globaliseringen bidrar till ökad gemenskap mellan människor från olika delar av världen har Oita Universitet i Japan skapat en mötesplats vid namnet Global Village. Det skapades för att öka interaktionen bland studenterna i campus och är avsedd för både internationella och lokala studenter. Visionen för platsen är att individerna ska utbyta information, kunskaper, idéer och kulturer vilket främjar kunskapsutbyte och delat lärande. Dock står uppdragsgivaren inför en utmaning gällande Global Village då det finns brist på deltagande och interaktion på platsen vilket leder till att visionen inte uppfylls. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur studenterna upplever Global Village i nuläget för att få en förståelse av hur platsen fungerar och därefter utveckla förbättringsförslag med stöd av co-creation. Co-creation handlar om samskapande och samarbete mellan individer som i sin tur kan skapa ett slags värde i form av nya idéer och lösningar. Utifrån de brister som identifierats i undersökningen har förbättringsförslagen utgått från att inkludera co-creation miljö i Global Village som befinner sig i universitetet. Studien utgick från ett kvalitativt angreppssätt för att besvara forskningsfrågorna och det genomfördes flertal semistrukturerade intervjuer med studenter från Oita universitet. Det framkom i studien att faktorer inom open innovation är viktiga byggstenar för att utveckla konceptet av mötesplatsen och skapa en välfungerande co-creation miljö som ger värde till studenterna. Dessa faktorer inom open innovation är nätverkande och värdeskapande vilket användes som inspiration för att skapa en modellutveckling utifrån de brister som identifierades i Global Village. Modellutvecklingen innehåller flera olika lösningsförslag för att förbättra Global Village vid Oita universitet.

Denna studie undersöker användningen av active learning i Kompetenscenters digitala klassrum med fokus på områden som kreativt klimat, motivation och digital undervisning. Kompetenscenter är en kommunal vuxenutbildning som ligger i Köping. Syftet med studien är att förbättra studenternas engagemang i distansstudier och skapa ett mer tillgängligt och inkluderande klimat i det digitala klassrummet. Innovationsbidraget ligger i att kunna skapa bättre förutsättningar för studenterna i den digitala miljön med hjälp av lärometoden active learning. Den valda forskningsmetoden är ett kvalitativt angreppssätt med en fallstudiedesign. Forskarna har utgått från en abduktiv ansats då forskarna kontinuerligt har jämfört ny empiri med teori. Som datainsamlingsmetoder har forskarna använt sig utav sju semistrukturerade intervjuer med sju olika respondenter från Kompetenscenter. Den genomförda analysmetoden är tematisk analys av empiriska data, forskarna har kodat insamlade data för att identifiera teman. Genom lärometoden active learning har studien tagit fram riktlinjer för Kompetenscenter. Implementeringen av dessa riktlinjer kommer hjälpa Kompetenscenter att skapa ett kreativt klimat som är tillgängligt och inkluderande för studenterna., This study investigates the use of active learning in the Competence Center’s digital classroom with a focus on areas such as creative climate, motivation, and digital teaching. Competence Center is a municipal adult education located in Köping. The aim of this study is to improve student engagement in distance learning and create a more accessible and inclusive climate in the digital classroom. The innovation contribution lies in being able to create better conditions for the students in the digital environment with the help of the teaching method active learning. The chosen research method is a qualitative approach with a case study design. The researchers have used an abductive approach, in which case the researchers have continuously compared new empirical evidence with theory. As data collection methods, the researchers have used seven semi-structured interviews with seven different respondents from Competence Center. The analysis method carried out is thematic analysis of empirical data, the researchers have coded the collected data to identify themes. Through the teaching method active learning, the study has produced guidelines for Competence Center. The implementation of these guidelines will help Competence Center to create a creative climate that is accessible and inclusive for the students in the digital classroom.

This study aim to investigate the implementation and utilization of welfare technology in elderly care, focusing on its benefits and risks by identifying knowledge gaps and challenges through previous research and our own data collection. By interviewing caregivers we tried to capture their perspective of both benefits and challenges to find out the optimal way to use welfare technology. The study also aimed to contribute to a better understanding of how welfare technology can be effectively and safely integrated to improve the quality of life for the elderly and facilitate caregivers’ work. The findings of this study demonstrate that the use of welfare technology is advantageous for both care recipients and caregivers when used with care. These technologies enhance the safety and independence of care recipients while enabling efficient resource usage for caregivers. Increased independence for caretakers reduces the daily visits for medication and supervision, freeing up resources to provide care and support where it is most needed. Combined with the use of technical aids, such as cameras and sensors, it enables caregivers to streamline their work. However, it is crucial not to view welfare technology as a solution to the caregiver shortage but rather as a complement to provide the best possible care while ensuring that the caregiver personnel are sufficient.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the operational and financial outcomes of companies implementing the no-code manufacturing execution system (MES). Methods: This study has been conducted using inductive reasoning to develop new theories in this unexplored subject. The thesis has conducted a multiple case study to collect qualitative, empirical data. Qualitative data has been collected through conducting three interviews from two separate companies. The Research Background and Findings section was then cross analyzed to find commonalities to form conclusions. Conclusion: Implementing a no-code MES offers operational and financial benefits for manufacturing companies. It improves productivity, reduces lead times, increases flexibility, and enhances quality efforts. Cost savings are achieved through paper reduction and lower implementation costs compared to traditional MES solutions, which do not have no-code features. Overall, a no-code MES delivers advantageous outcomes efficiently and eliminates the need for significant capital investments and technical skills. Theoretical Contribution: This thesis contributes to the field of science by unifying Manufacturing Execution System (MES) with the existent subject of low-code/no-code. This study creates a deeper knowledge by merging science with empirics. Practical Contribution: The thesis contributes to practitioners in the manufacturing industry by indicating the relevance and importance of the beneficial operational and financial outcomes of adopting a no-code MES. Firstly, there are strong indications that a no-code MES could be a possible solution for companies that could be impacted by the labor shortage in software developer jobs. Secondly, as the no-code MES mitigates the barriers with traditional MES solutions, having the MES built on no-code makes the solution more cost-effective and easy-to-maintain. Limitations & Future Research: This study is limited to two case companies and three interviews. The st

Cloud gaming has emerged as a popular solution to meet the increasing hardware de-mands of modern video games, allowing players with dated or non-sufficient hardwareto access high-quality gaming experiences. However, the growing reliance on cloud ser-vices has led to heightened concerns regarding user privacy and the risk of fingerprintingattacks. In this paper, we investigate the effects of varying send rates on cloud gamingQoS and QoE metrics when applying a fixed-rate fingerprinting defense, BuFLO. Findingsshow that lower send rates impact both client-side and host-side applied defense differ-ently. Based on the results, specific send rates are suggested for maintaining a stable cloudgaming experience. The research offers insights into the trade-offs between security andperformance in cloud gaming and provides recommendations for mitigating fingerprintingattacks. Future work may investigate alternative defenses, device types, and connectionmethods.

In order for businesses to increase their chances of survival in the global market, adaptable organizations and competent change leaders are required. Leadership and change management are becoming increasingly important, with a particular emphasis on engaged and transformative leadership. Despite the proven ability of female leadership to facilitate transformative change, it is often overlooked. This qualitative study examines the knowledge gap regarding key factors for successful change leadership, characteristics of successful change leaders, and the significance of gender. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who have held or currently hold leadership positions and have implemented change processes. The study explores the importance of gender in successful change leadership, differences among successful leaders, and the role of gender. Participants included both men and women in leadership positions with experience in driving change. The results showed that clear, direct, and honest communication tailored to the recipient is crucial for managing change. The study emphasizes the need for change leaders to possess communication and social skills in order to thrive in a dynamic global market. Employee involvement and heterogeneous groups were also identified as important factors that increase the likelihood of success. A good leader is outward-facing and engages with individuals who have diverse and stimulating tasks. The findings of the study revealed that female leaders are often not recognized as a success factor, despite their ability to implement transformative changes. Gender itself does not differentiate successful change leaders from others; rather, individual characteristics play a significant role., För att verksamheter ska öka sina överlevnadschanser i den globala marknaden krävs det att organisationen är förändringsbenägen och innehar kompetenta förändringsledare. Ledarskap och förändringsarbete blir allt viktigare, med särskild vikt för engagerat och transformativt ledarskap. Denna kvalitativa studie undersöker det forskningsgap som identifierats kring viktiga faktorer för framgångsrik förändringsledning och egenskaper hos framgångsrika förändringsledare. Vidare undersöker studien könets betydelse hos framgångsrika förändringsarbeten. Studiens frågeställningar har besvarats genom semistrukturerade intervjuer av deltagare som varit i ledarskapspositioner och genomfört förändringsprocesser. Studien undersöker könets betydelse för framgångsrik förändringsledning och skillnader mellan framgångsrika ledare samt könets roll varför studiens deltagare bestått av både män och kvinnor i ledarskapspositioner med förändringserfarenhet. Resultaten visade att tydlig, direkt och ärlig kommunikation anpassad till mottagaren är avgörande för att hanteringen kring förändringar. Förändringsledare behöver enligt studiens resultat sådana typer av egenskaper som främjar kommunikations- och sociala färdigheter för att verksamheten ska överleva på en föränderlig global marknad. Studiens resultat påvisar att en bra ledare är utåtriktad och socialiserar med människor med varierande och stimulerande uppgifter. Medarbetarinvolvering och heterogena grupper är ytterligare faktorer som ökar också chanserna till framgång. Könet hos en ledare i sig skiljer inte framgångsrika förändringsledare från andra, utan det är de individuella egenskaper hos ledaren som spelar en betydande roll.

Detta examensarbete är en fallstudie genomförd på Duroc Rail, ett företag i Luleå som underhåller och bearbetar järnvägshjul. Inom de kommande fyra åren ska hela verksamheten byta lokaler till följd av förändringar på industriområdet där företaget är placerat idag. I samband med flytten har en helt ny produktionslayout framställts. Inga beräkningar eller simuleringar av det nya produktionsflödet har vid studietillfället utförts och därför är det svårt att säkerställa hur den nya produktionslayouten kommer att fungera i verkligheten samt vilka flaskhalsar som kan komma att uppstå. Studiens syfte är därför att genom en simulering kartlägga de flaskhalsar som kan komma att uppstå samt undersöka hur dessa kan påverkas och kontrolleras. Studien ämnar därför att besvara följande frågeställningar: Vilka flaskhalsar i Duroc Rails nya layout kan identifieras och hur kan dessa påverkas och kontrolleras? Vad är orsaken till att flaskhalsar uppstår i deras nya produktionslayout? Genom observationer av produktioner, intervjuer med produktionspersonal och ledning samt tidsstudier på arbetsstationer har den information och data som behövts för att uppnå studiens syfte samlats in. Informationen och datan har använts för att modellera den simulering som studiens resultat är baserat på. Simuleringen är en diskret händelsestyrd simulering skapad i programmet ExtendSim och är modellerad utifrån den nya produktionslayout som framställts av Duroc Rail. Vidare har litteraturstudier som berör ämnet flaskhalsar gjorts för att kunna tolka och analysera det resultat som framställts av simuleringen. I simuleringen simuleras olika flöden av enheter med olika antal enheter från respektive flöde. Enheterna avser hjulpar i behov av underhåll. Flödena är baserade på hjulparens egenskaper och behov av underhåll. Målbilden i den nya produktionen är att 40 hjulpar ska kunna bearbetas under ett skift och att en viss mängd av respektive hjulpar ska produceras. Mixen av hjulpar med deras respektive flöde

Att skydda sin data idag kommer med flera utmaningar då lösenord som enda autentiseringsmetod är otillräcklig. Lösenord är ofta användarvänliga, enkla att hålla koll på och är utan kostnad för användaren. Det går alltid att göra lösenord säkrare men det upplevs ofta som svårhanterligt. I stället för detta kan man även använda ytterligare autentiseringsmetod. Många sidor och tjänster använder idag så kallad två- eller flerfaktorsautentisering genom t.ex. BankID eller säkerhetsnycklar. Med all ny teknik följer nya säkerhetsaspekter att ta hänsyn till, speciellt om denna teknik lämnar efter sig spår som kan utnyttjas av t.ex. hackare. Arbetets syfte är att undersöka spårbara artefakter som är kopplade till de fysiska säkerhetsnycklarna Solo 1 och YubiKey 5 NFC i Windows Registret i Windows 10 Pro N, samt utvärdera om tidigare kända sårbarheter kan bidra till insikter om säkerhetsnycklars säkerhet. Detta genomförs med hjälp av två kvalitativa metoder, dels genom en kartläggning av sårbarheter, dels genom ett experiment. Baserat på de funna sårbarheterna som har hittats så går det inte att säga huruvida de säkerhetsnycklarna skiljer sig i säkerhetsnivå, men det är tydligt att det främst är i firmware och mjukvara där sårbarheterna finns. Huruvida den ena säkerhetsnyckeln är säkrare än den andra går inte att fastställa, samt om en öppen källkod har någon betydelse vad gäller säkerhet. Dessutom går det att konstatera att spårbara artefakter från en säkerhetsnyckel kan hittas i ett Windows operativsystem. Baserat på de funna sårbarheterna som har hittats så går det inte att säga huruvida de säkerhetnycklarna skiljer sig i säkerhetsnivå, men det är tydligt att det främst är i firmware och mjukvara där sårbarheterna finns. Huruvida den ena säkerhets-nyckeln är säkrare än den andra går inte att fastställa, samt om öppen källkod har någon betydelse vad gäller säkerhet. Dessutom går det att konstatera att spår-bara artefakter från en säkerhetsnyckel kan hittas i ett Windows oper, Protecting your data today comes with several challenges since a password as the only authentication method is insufficient. Passwords are often user-friendly, easy to keep track of, and at no cost for the user. Passwords can always be made more secure, but this task is often perceived as tedious. Instead, additional authentication methods may be used. Many sites and services today use so-called two- or multifactor authentication, e.g. BankID (a type of eID) or security keys. all new technology comes with unique security aspects to consider, especially if this technology leaves behind traces that can be exploited by, e.g., hackers. This study aims to investigate traceable artifacts associated with the physical security key Solo 1 and YubiKey 5 NFC in the Windows Registry in Windows 10 Pro N and to evaluate whether previously known vulnerabilities can contribute to insights into security key security. The study uses two qualitative methods, one mapping out the vulnerabilities and another through an experiment. Based on the vulnerabilities that was found, it is not possible to conclude whether the security keys differ in security level. Still, it is mainly in the firmware and software where the vulnerabilities exist. Whether one security key is more secure than the other is inconclusive, and whether open-source code has any implications regarding security. In addition, it is ascertained that traceable artifacts from a security key can be found in a Windows operating system.

Sustainability transition has gained more interest in academic research. However, it has rarely been studied specifically from a firm-level perspective. Therefore, this study aims to understand and learn from the firm-level perspective to contribute to firm- and system-level understanding. The case study of insects as food and feed industry is interesting in a niche and challenging market or to understand the overcoming activities of those facing barriers, whether the overcoming of customer acceptance, uncertainty of the market, and the regulations of eating insects as just been approved by the European Commission in recent years. Moreover, the study of insects has been widely focused on entomology, such as species, and nutrition. It is beginning to be studied in the food sector in Western countries, recently. Therefore, this research will contribute an in-depth understanding of the firm-level in the edible insect industry, especially in the business section in Sweden. This research contributes to the understanding of entrepreneurs' sustainable business models in different time periods, which could be shaped by barriers and opportunities. The barriers found in this study are similar to previous studies of the insect industry in other countries, except for customer acceptance, which seems to be different in Sweden. The customer issue that stands out here is finding the niche group of customers and the niche product that suits these early adopter customers. I also found the importance of entrepreneurial activities in relation to the development of the technological innovation system (TIS). The actors or entrepreneurs are the catalysts for the development of the TIS in the uncertain industry, since every single movement of the entrepreneurs leads to the dynamics of the system, such as a lobbying activity to overcome the regulatory barrier.

The future is here. New digital, disruptive innovations are changing and affecting industries across society. And the emerging Quantum Computing (QC) industry is not an exception. Billions of dollars have been invested by actors such as governments, large enterprises like IBM and AWS, and by smaller to medium firms towards achieving a fully working QC-technology. Therefore, firms who are looking to adopt it must address the barriers that come with it. This thesis therefore explores what barriers, with the objective on key ones, that exist when firms are adopting QC-technology as a service into their business strategy. The geographical scope of this study is the European and North American industries. The applied method is qualitative and based on the methodology of grounded theory where six semi-structured interviews are carried out with key experts in the field . Furthermore, the analytical PESTLE-framework was used to systemically code and categorize the barriers found from the interviews to analyze the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors connected to the research question. By using key experts from different parts of the industry and this framework, it resulted in a holistic view of the industry’s barriers. The findings of this study are that the QC-industry is still in its early era with 34 barriers of adoption identified and eight of them deemed to be the key ones because of their significance and frequency of mentions. The eight key barriers are QC-technology is costly, impatient investors, funding issues, lack of consistent revenue streams, lack of awareness from top management, insufficient ecosystem, lack of skilled labor and immature technology. The most important minor barriers of the other 26 include lack of standardization and benchmarks, lack of collaboration between certain geographical parties, misinformation from vendors and not using external advisors. Nonetheless, the QC-technology is on the up-rise and is, Framtiden är här. Nya digitala, disruptiva innovationer håller just nu på att förändra och påverka industrier över hela samhället. Den växande kvantdatorindustrin är inte ett undantagsfall. Flertalet miljarder dollar med målet att uppnå en fullt funktionell kvantdator har investerats av aktörer som stater, stora företag som IBM och AWS samt små till medelstora företag. Därför bör företag som kommer att påverkas av effekterna adressera barriärerna som finns. Den här uppsatsen undersöker därför vilka barriärer, med fokus på de essentiella, som existerar för företag när de ska adaptera kvantdatorteknologi som en service i deras affärsstrategi. Den geografiska omfattningen berör den nordamerikanska samt den europeiska marknaden. Metodiken som användes var ”Grounded theory”- metodologin där sex semi-strukturerade intervjuer utfördes med nyckelexperter i industrin. Fortsättningsvis så användes PESTLE-ramverket för att systematiskt koda samt kategorisera de identifierade barriärerna utifrån politiska-, ekonomiska-, sociala- , teknologiska-, legala- samt miljöaspekterna. Genom att ha erhållit data från nyckelexperter från olika delar av industrin samt använt ramverket så gav det en holistisk bild av industrins barriärer. Resultatet av studien är att kvantdatorindustrin är i ett tidigt skede med 34 barriärer identifierade och åtta av dem som anses vara de mest essentiella på grund av deras signifikans samt frekvens av omnämnanden. De åtta nyckelbarriärerna inkluderar att kvantdatorteknologin är dyr att investera i, otåliga finansiella investerare, finansieringsproblem, brist på konsistenta intäktsflöden, brist på medvetenhet av ledningen, bristfällande ekosystem, brist på kompetent personal och icke-mogen teknologi. De viktigaste mindre barriärerna utav de 26 inkluderar brist på standardisering samt riktmärken, brist på samarbete mellan vissa geografiska områden, felaktig information från industrin till köparna, samt att inte ta hjälp av externa rådgivare. Vidare, så är kvan