| 1. |
- Warneryd, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Unpacking the complexity of community microgrids : A review of institutions’ roles for development of microgrids
- 2020
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Ingår i: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 1364-0321 .- 1879-0690. ; 121
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Community microgrids implemented in existing electricity grids can meet both development targets set out in the Paris agreement: 1. mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through increased implementation of renewable energy sources, and 2. to adapt to climate related disturbances and risk of catastrophes. Community microgrids are, however, complex to implement and institutional change is needed to reach their full potential. The purpose of this article is to review existing literature and analyze institutional developments influencing the growth of community microgrids. The literature describes a concentration of microgrid activities in specific regions: USA, EU, Asia and Australia. Varying reasons for implementing community microgrids were found in the different regions but similar institutional developments occurred, albeit with differing emphasis due to contextual specificities. Formal directions do however influence informal institutions even though their aims differ. Power utilities stand out as a critical actor and both formal and informal institutions put pressure on utilities to update their traditional business models. This article illustrates how informal and formal institutions play a significant role in the growth of community microgrids in existing electricity grids and provide interesting examples which can be utilized by policymakers. Microgrid development is still in a formative phase and further institutional change in the form of updated regulations is needed. © 2020 The Authors
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| 2. |
- Williamsson, Anna, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Nurses’ use of visual management in hospitals - a longitudinal, quantitative study on its implications on systems performance and working conditions
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 75:4, s. 760-771
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: The aim of this study was to examine potential benefits provided by dailyvisual management tool use and explore its association with systems performanceand working conditions among hospital nurses.Background: Visual management tools used in everyday work and improvementwork in health care theoretically contribute to shared understanding of complexwork systems and provide certain user benefits. Cognitive load, miscommunicationwithin and between professional groups, and pressure to engage in care processredesign add to nurses’ strained working conditions.Design: Quantitative longitudinal.Methods: Questionnaires were distributed at T0, (N = 948, 66% response rate), T1(N = 900, 70% response rate), and T2 (N = 621, 72% response rate) to nurses atfive hospitals. Three groups of users (daily users, start users, and non‐daily users)were compared by means T1–T2 (significance tested with Wilcoxon signed ranktest) and by mixed model repeated measures T0, T1, T2.Results: Daily use associated to better overview of work, collaboration, social capital,and clinical engagement. Job resources were rated higher by daily users. Mentalstress increased and development opportunities decreased over time among nondailyusers. There were associations between use and perceptions of systems performance,though the differences between groups were small.Conclusion: This study specifically explores visual management tool use in the hospitalsetting, which contributes to research by broadening the understanding of cognitive,social, and emotional benefits provided by visual management tool use. Dailyuse was associated to positive working conditions, small but positive differences insystems performance, and indicated a buffering effect on nurses’ mental stress.
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| 3. |
- Berglund, Martina, et al.
(författare)
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New ways of organizing product introductions
- 2012
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Ingår i: Work. - : IOS Press. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 41, s. 4856-4861, s. 4856-4861
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to describe and reflect on an interactive research approach used to address the challenges on how to improve product introductions, the part of the product realization process associated with the transfer of a product from product development to serial production. In the interactive research approach, research results as well as improvement of practice are given equal importance. The collaboration between researchers and practitioners therefore addresses both the focus and the process of the change. The approach includes four main iterative steps: 1) mapping/diagnosis, 2) feedback of results, 3) participation in development activities, and 4) follow-up/evaluation. The paper reports findings from interactive research in one company within office product industry and one company group, consisting of three company units within the engine industry. Preliminary findings indicate that the participating companies afterwards work in a more structured way with product introductions and that the employees have gained deeper knowledge about product introductions as well as experienced the advantages of working across functional boundaries. Furthermore, the interactive research approach is suitable to run projects from an ergonomics perspective as it focuses on developing both practice and theory, it is human-centered, and it emphasizes broad participation from practitioners.
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| 4. |
- De Goey, Heleen, et al.
(författare)
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Design Thinking as Facilitator for Sustainable Innovation : Exploring Opportunities at SMEs in the Swedish Wood Products Industry
- 2015
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Sustainable Innovation.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Design thinking (DT) is the application of design practice as an approach to innovate and initiate change. Recently, DT has received increasing attention as an approach to address sustainability challenges. However, this area is less studied. The purpose of this study was to explore how DT could enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Swedish wood products industry to create more sustainable offers. Various actors from this industry have identified the need to develop sustainable offers, although few discuss how this is realized. Interviews have been conducted with six SMEs to increase understanding on challenges they perceive with developing sustainable products. Current practice is compared to potential benefits of DT described in literature. Three main benefits of DT for SMEs have been identified. It could enable SMEs [1] to redefine the purpose of their offers, [2] to better address needs and [3] to address conflicting requirements regarding sustainability.
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| 5. |
- Eriksson, Linnea, et al.
(författare)
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The role of middle actors in electrification of transport in Swedish rural areas
- 2022
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Ingår i: Case Studies on Transport Policy. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 2213-624X .- 2213-6258. ; 10:3, s. 1706-1714
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper, we use the middle-out perspective to analyze the diffusion of electric cars and plug-in hybrids in Swedish rural areas and small towns. In Sweden, electrification of the transport system is a priority, particularly in car-dependent rural areas. However, the transition to electromobility mainly takes place in major urban areas. To understand the dynamics of the transition to electrified transport and identify how it may be facilitated, we identify top actors, bottom actors, and middle actors and analyze how middle actors exert influence. Our case study is based on in-depth interviews with civil servants who work with energy and transport issues in rural areas throughout Sweden and with representatives of energy companies and government agencies. We show that three middle actors are important: municipalities, local energy companies, and local car dealers. The municipalities and local energy companies mainly exert influence by knowledge diffusion and by contributing to projects such as charging infrastructure development. The car dealers are examples of middle actors who could play a central role by influencing consumers, but who currently often obstruct electric vehicle diffusion. We find that the support of top actors is very important for middle actors to be able to facilitate diffusion of electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Municipalities are in a unique position to use their knowledge, local networks, and sideways and upwards connections to strengthen the agency and capacity of citizens and small businesses (bottom actors). However, as small Swedish municipalities often have limited resources, long-term support from government agencies (top actors) is crucial. As middle actors are so important for the diffusion of electric vehicles, especially in the rural context where market forces are weaker than in the urban context, national policy for electrification of transport should support them.
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| 6. |
- Gonçalves Machado, Carla, 1975, et al.
(författare)
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Maturity Framework Enabling Organizational Digital Readiness
- 2020
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Ingår i: Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering at SPS2020. - Amsterdam : IOS Press BV. - 9781614994398 ; , s. 649-660, s. 649-660
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Digitalization and the use of advanced technologies for more flexible and resource efficient production processes are changing the industrial competitive environment. However, new technologies are not seldom implemented without the whole organization being ready to fully utilize its benefits. This readiness can be expressed as organizational digital maturity. Previous studies identified that the level of digitalization is increasing, but, in many cases, due to lack of foundation, it is not aligned with the business strategy and/or supported by the organizational and technological infrastructures. There is a gap in existing models to provide practical starting-up steps to support the organizational digital readiness. A conceptual readiness framework for organizational digital readiness was tested through the analysis and reflection of four cases implemented by a Swedish manufacturing company. Findings point out that it is important to create a proper organizational foundation, a readiness, to ensure a company to evolve in digital maturity. That can be developed based on three main stages of change management practices. The tool can be used to identify the organizational readiness and thereby the gaps and thresholds necessary to overcome. This will enable companies to utilize the technology level necessary to increase cost and resource efficiency, and hence competitiveness. In addition, dimensions and a roadmap for organizational, digital, and smart readiness is presented. © 2020 The authors
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| 7. |
- Machado, Carla G., et al.
(författare)
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Digital organisational readiness : experiences from manufacturing companies
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management. - : Emerald Group Holdings Ltd.. - 1741-038X .- 1758-7786. ; 32:9, s. 167-182
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: This research aims to identify and organise the conditions of organisational readiness for digital transformation. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative study comprises three case studies within manufacturing companies from different sizes and industries located in Sweden. Plant visits and in-depth interviews bring to light companies' experiences with initial steps towards digital transformation. A set of conditions for digital organisational readiness was translated into a questionnaire and tested with one of the studied companies. Findings: This paper organises and tests digital organisational readiness conditions to support companies' initial steps on digital transformation. The results are put in perspective of established change management theory and previous studies about digital transformation. The findings will conclude in a questionnaire to support dialogue and digital organisational readiness assessments. Research limitations/implications: Additional conditions for the initial phase of digital transformation could possibly be found if more cases had been included in the study. Practical implications: The article identifies a set of conditions translated into a questionnaire that should be used as a dialogue tool to create strategic alignment and support companies in their initial discussions. If this process can be faster and more efficient, the company can achieve a competitive advantage against competitors. Originality/value: This research's relevance relies on the fact that companies are advancing in adopting digital technologies without being ready from an organisational perspective. This gap creates barriers for companies' digital maturing processes, stopping them from having full access to digital technologies' benefits. © 2021, Carla Gonçalves Machado, Mats Winroth, Peter Almström, Anna Ericson Öberg, Martin Kurdve and Sultan AlMashalah.
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| 8. |
- Machado, Carla G., et al.
(författare)
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Industry 4.0 readiness in manufacturing companies : Challenges and enablers towards increased digitalization
- 2019
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Ingår i: Procedia CIRP. - : Elsevier. ; , s. 1113-1118, s. 1113-1118
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Digitalization is changing the business environment and companies face challenges to make progress. A first step to support companies is to verify their digital readiness, capabilities, and developing clear plans for improvement. This paper aims to evaluate the digital readiness of seven companies through the application of a self-check tool, followed by a deeper investigation through a case study, to identify reasons, challenges/barriers and enablers towards digitalization. A workshop was conducted to evaluate the use of a self-check tool and collect other analysis. Results include the readiness level and comparison between companies, actions and practices towards increased digitalization.
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| 9. |
- Machado, Carla G., et al.
(författare)
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Production management and smart manufacturing from a systems perspective
- 2018
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Ingår i: Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering. - : IOS Press. - 9781614994398 ; 8:XXXII, s. 329-334
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The traditional view of production systems relies on the organization of physical and information flows enabling customer satisfaction with products or services, following inputs from strategy, policies, rules and principles, supported by tools, systems and methods, and improved through performance management systems. Moving forward to new levels of industrialization, smart manufacturing represents systems integration and automation supported by Cyber-Physical-Systems (CPS) to enable more autonomous, agile and sustainable production processes, which can at the same time be influenced by, as well as influencing the organizational system in real time. As a new managerial topic, this research paper intends to study and systematically organize the literature related to smart manufacturing and production systems design in order to identify whether smart manufacturing can be implemented through the production systems approach and, if so, what are the requirements for implementation and integration of different management systems (e.g. quality, and environment systems).
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| 10. |
- Salomonson, Nicklas, et al.
(författare)
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Comparing Human-to-Human and Human-to-AEA Communication in Service Encounters
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Business Communication. - : SAGE. - 0021-9436 .- 1552-4582. ; 50:1, s. 87-116
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An increasing number of companies are introducing artificial agents as self-service tools on their websites, often motivated by the need to provide cost-efficient interaction solutions. These agents are designed to help customers and clients to conduct their business on the website. Their role on commercial websites is often to act as online sales/shopping assistants with the hope of replacing some of the interactions between customers and sales staff, thus supplementing or replacing human-to-human communication. However, research on artificial agents and comparisons with human-to-human communication, in particular, is still scarce. The purpose of this article is to explore the similarities and differences in communication between an artificial agent and customers compared with face-to-face communication between human service providers and customers. The method employed is a qualitative comparison of face-to-face human service provision in a travel agency setting and logs of interactions between customers and an artificial agent on an airline company website. The analysis is based on the theory of “activity-based communication analysis” and makes use of a framework of specific communication features provided by this theory. The article demonstrates a number of deficiencies in communication between artificial embodied agents and humans, suggesting that artificial embodied agents still lack many of the desirable communicative aspects of human-to-human service encounters.
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