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The purpose of this thesis is to fill the previous research gap concerning automation in the horticulture industry by discovering the adoption of automation in the U.S. and Canada, exploring the possibilities of introducing autonomous solutions and provide recommendations as to how this could create opportunities for small robotics companies targeting the industry. A case company in the U.S. and Canada was used as an example of a small robotics company for the case study. Two research questions were formulated: RQ1: Which major tasks in the horticulture industry should a small robotics company aim to automate? RQ2: What are the barriers for companies in the horticulture industry to invest in automated solutions? A mixed methods research with a pragmatic, inductive and exploratory approach was employed. The primary source of data was gathered from surveys, due to the geographical diversity of the region studied. The surveys reveal that the average level of automation across all respondents averaged at 47%. Given the strategy of the case company, a small robotics company is argued to aim to automate the following tasks: placing plant liners, sticking cuttings and planting seed, spacing of plants and containers, plant pruning, harvesting and grading production, and pesticide application. The horticulture industry is showing low barriers to invest in automation. The relatively high levels of automation are leading to increased trust in automation and further investments in automation. This is shown in the technology being perceived as useful amongst 75-85% of respondents and perceived as easy to use amongst 94% of respondents. / Syftet med denna avhandling är att fylla det tidigare forskargapet om automatisering inom hortikultur, genom att utforska acceptansen av automatisering i USA och Kanada, utforska möjligheterna att införa autonoma lösningar och ge rekommendationer om hur detta kan skapa möjligheter för små robotföretag som riktar sig mot branschen. En fallstudie på ett robotföretag i USA och Kanada användes som ett exempel på ett litet robotföretag. Två forskningsfrågor formulerades: RQ1: Vilka stora uppgifter inom hortikultur bör ett litet robotföretag sträva efter att automatisera?RQ2: Vilka hinder finns för företag inom hortikultur att investera i automatiserade lösningar? En blandad metodforskning med ett pragmatiskt, induktivt och utforskande tillvägagångssätt användes. Den primära källan till data samlades från undersökningar, på grund av den geografiska mångfalden i regionen som studerades. Undersökningarna visar att den genomsnittliga automatiseringsgraden för alla svarande i genomsnitt uppgick till 47%. Med tanke på bolagets strategi rekommenderas ett litet robotföretag att automatisera följande uppgifter: rada upp plantor, stick och plantera frön, skapa avstånd mellan växter och behållare, beskära och kvalitetsgranska skördar, och applicera bekämpningsmedel. Hortikulturindustrin visar låga hinder för investeringar i automatisering. De relativt höga automatiseringsnivåerna leder till ökat förtroende för automatisering och ytterligare investeringar i automation. Detta framgår av tekniken som uppfattas som användbar bland 75–85% av de svarande och uppfattas som lätt att använda bland 94% av de svarande.

Two studies were conducted to determine the effect of panelist participation frequency and specific aspects of questionnaire design on overall acceptance scoring in consumer central location tests. Regarding participation frequency, research subjects who participate frequently in some survey types are known to provide responses that differ from subjects who participate less frequently, known as panel conditioning. With respect to questionnaire design, overall acceptance (OA) question placement and usage of pre-evaluation instructions (PEI) in questionnaires for food sensory analysis may bias consumers' scores via carry-over effects. To investigate these concerns, data from consumer sensory panels previously conducted at a central location, spanning 11 years and covering a broad range of food product categories, was extracted, compiled, and analyzed. For the first study, data was analyzed to determine evidence of panel conditioning by measuring the effect of participation frequency on mean consumer OA scoring among frequent, moderate, and infrequent participants. Practical significance and occurrence of panel conditioning, defined as mean scoring differences of ≥ 0.50 on a discrete 9-point scale hedonic point, were examined. Results indicate that for overall acceptance, in general, mean scoring differences were not practically significant and did not signify occurrence of panel conditioning. For the second study, OA question placement was studied with categories designated as first (the first evaluation question following demographic questions), after non-gustation questions (immediately following questions that do not require panelists to taste the product), and later (following all other hedonic and just-about-right questions, but occasionally before ranking, open-ended comments, and/or intent to purchase questions). Additionally, each panel was categorized as having or not having PEI in the questionnaire; PEI are instructions that appear immediately before the first evaluation question and show panelists all attributes they will evaluate prior to receiving test samples. Post-panel surveys were administered regarding the self-reported effect of PEI on panelists' evaluation experience. OA scores were analyzed and compared (1) between OA question placement categories and (2) between panels with and without PEI. For most product categories, OA scores tended to be lower when asked later in the questionnaire, suggesting evidence of a carry-over effect. Usage of PEI increased OA scores by 0.10 of a 9-point hedonic scale point, which is not practically significant. Post-panel survey data showed that presence of PEI typically improved the panelists' experience. Using PEI does not appear to introduce a meaningful carry-over effect.

Skiftet från en bensindriven bil till en elbil är ett ämne som drastiskt accelererat under de senaste fem åren med motivation av miljömässiga fördelar. Detta skifte börjar inte bromsa in, utan snarare att fler konsumenter väljer en elbil framför en bil med en förbränningsmotor. I takt med att bilen blir mer avancerad, blir även tekniken inuti bilen mer komplicerad för konsumenter att använda. Syftet med denna studie är att jämföra köpintentioner av en Elbil mellan Tyskland och Storbritannien, med specifik hänsyn till Technology acceptance model (TAM). Studien är genomförd som en kvantitativ undersökning med Polestar som samarbetspartner. För Tyskland respektive Storbritannien är respondenterna 54 respektive 56 styck. Analysering av resultat har gjorts genom en deskriptiv analys samt en korrelationsanalys, för att hitta mönster i de datamaterial som insamlats. Resultatet påvisar att det finns såväl likheter som skillnader i köpintentionerna för såväl Tyskland som Storbritannien. Exempelvis påvisar resultatet att TAM har en likvärdig inverkan på köpintentionerna hos de båda länderna, samtidigt som exempelvis miljö har en större inverkan hos konsumenter i Storbritannien än i Tyskland. / The shift from a petrol-powered car to an electric car is a topic that has accelerated dramatically over the past five years with the intention of environmental benefits. This shift is not starting to slow down, rather more consumers are choosing electric vehicles over cars with internal combustion engines. As the car becomes more advanced, the technology in the car also becomes more complicated for consumers to use. The purpose of this study is to compare the purchase intentions of electric cars in Germany and the United Kingdom, with specific regard to the Technology acceptance model (TAM). The study was conducted as a quantitative study partnered with Polestar. For Germany and the United Kingdom, the respondents are 54 and 56 respectively. Analysis of results has been done through descriptive analysis and correlation analysis, to find patterns in the data material collected. The results show that there are similarities and differences in the purchase intentions for both Germany and the United Kingdom. For example, the results show that TAM has an equal impact on the purchasing intentions of the two countries, while for example, the environment has a greater impact on consumers in the UK than in Germany.

This project was initiated due to the need for new manners of taking care of elderly. The purpose was to determine the perception of eHealth within home care. The goal was to analyze the perception of eHealth in order to find factors which may affect the implementation of eHealth services. To distinguish the perception, surveys with health personnel within home care and the general public as well as and interviews with municipalities were performed. An extension of the Technology Acceptance Model was used in order to locate the perception to seven different categories related to eHealth. The results from the surveys were statistically analysed, and a factor analysis was executed on the surveys, in order to find groups with similar perception on eHealth. The surveys showed that the general perception of the usability and ease of use of eHealth is positive, even though one view was that the society needs to invest more money within the area. The factor analysis resulted in six different groups of perceptions for the personnel and three groups for the general public. The interviews demonstrated that a clear and common definition of eHealth is missing. Despite that, a positive perception of eHealth within the municipalities existed. A conclusion made was that with clear guidelines of how to work eHealth, a wider and faster implementation will be easier to accomplish. / Syftet med detta projekt var att undersöka inställningen till eHälsa inom äldrevården. Projektet initierades på grund av att det fanns ett behov av nya tillvägagångssätt för att ta hand om äldre människor. Målet var att analysera inställningen till eHälsa, och om möjligt, finna faktorer som kan påverka implementeringen av eHälsotjänster. För att lokalisera inställningen gjordes enkätundersökningar med personal inom hemtjänsten samt med allmänheten. Även intervjuer med kommuner utfördes. En påbyggnad av Technology Acceptance Model användes för att lokalisera upp- fattningen kring sju kategorier relaterade till eHälsa. Enkätundersökningarnas resultat analyserades statistiskt, samt så utfördes en faktoranalys för att hitta grupper som hade liknande uppfattning gällande eHälsa. Analyserna visade att den allmänna uppfattningen gällande nyttan med, och användarvänligheten av eHälsa är positiv. Majoriteten anser att samhället behöver investera mer pengar i området. Faktoranalysen resulterade i sex olika grupper av inställningar inom personalen samt tre grupper för allmänheten. Intervjuer med kommuner påvisade att en klar och tydlig definition av eHälsa saknas. Trots det, har de i stort en positiv inställning till eHälsa och dess utveckling. En slutsats är att tydligare riktlinjer rörande arbete med eHälsa skulle kunna möjliggöra en smidigare implementering.

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Due to the advancement in AAC technology, set of medical conditions can be assisted using high-tech AAC, serving more patients with varying communication needs. There need to be more studies about the acceptance of HT-AAC among individuals with complex communication needs, by understanding their attitude and behavioral intentions towards this technology. This thesis aims to extend previous literature and address the gap by exploring the perceptions of SLPs' regarding the acceptance of high-tech AAC and the perceived pitfalls associated with using HT-AAC. An exploratory research method combined with qualitative approach was chosen to answer the research questions and serve the purpose of the study. SLPs recognize the importance of HT-AAC in various aspects of their patients' lives. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive support, specialized training, and addressing implementation challenges to maximize HT-AAC acceptance and usage. By addressing these aspects, HT-AAC can enhance the communication and overall quality of life for patients with communication difficulties. / På grund av framstegen inom AAC-teknik kan uppsättning medicinska tillstånd hjälpas med hjälp av högteknologisk AAC, vilket betjänar fler patienter med varierande kommunikationsbehov. Det behöver göras fler studier om acceptansen av HT-AAC bland individer med komplexa kommunikationsbehov, genom att förstå deras attityd och beteendeintentioner gentemot denna teknik. Den här avhandlingen syftar till att utöka tidigare litteratur och ta itu med klyftan genom att utforska SLPs uppfattningar om acceptansen av högteknologisk AAC och de upplevda fallgroparna som är förknippade med att använda HT-AAC. En explorativ forskningsmetod kombinerad med kvalitativ ansats valdes för att besvara forskningsfrågorna och tjäna syftet med studien. SLPs erkänner vikten av HT-AAC i olika aspekter av deras patienters liv. Resultaten belyser behovet av omfattande stöd, specialiserad utbildning och hantering av implementeringsutmaningar för att maximera acceptans och användning av HT-AAC. Genom att ta itu med dessa aspekter kan HT-AAC förbättra kommunikationen och den övergripande livskvaliteten för patienter med kommunikationssvårigheter.

We are currently in the year 2024, in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, where artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most revolutionary technologies characteristic of this era. The fifth industrial revolution is on the horizon, where AI will be further distinguished. Through a qualitative method with an inductive approach, semi-structured interviews have been conducted to investigate how AI has impacted the audit process and how far audit firms have come in this development. This is because auditing is a profession that, according to previous research, is relevant to investigate due to its rigid nature with strict laws and regulations. The handling of confidential information is a central part, and the work during the audit process should ultimately contribute to a quality-assured audit. Due to this technological development, this study, with the help of an analysis model consisting of diffusion of innovation (DOI), the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), the audit process, and the productivity paradox, has identified auditors acceptance and use of AI in the audit process. The study shows that AI has the potential to streamline the audit process by substituting repetitive tasks. Despite this, there are significant challenges that must be overcome for the full application of AI. Auditors have generally accepted AI, but there is uncertainty about how the technology can be used due to the handling of confidential information, existing regulations, and excessive reliance on the technology. These challenges have resulted in a low degree of usage and a relatively slow adoption rate. The productivity paradox is evident, as despite significant investments in AI and technological advancements, the actual productivity increase has been limited. The analysis shows that audit firms give the impression of faster development than what has actually occurred, while emphasizing that auditors analytical skills for a quality-assured audit are irreplaceable.