We are trying to explore and analyze the possible relationship between digitalization and the valuation of global logistics companies. We focus on the top 70 global logistics companies listed on reputable stock exchanges around the world by market value and go through their annual reports and audited financial accounts with a view to create an insight on their level of digitalization. We observe that there is an obvious increase in attention to digitalization by the logistics service providers throughout the world over the last decade. While we are not in the position to prove a causal relationship between digitalization and valuation, we find that an increase in digitalization awareness is strongly related to growth in both financial performance and market valuation in the logistics industry, especially during the recent disrupting period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems that investors across different major capital markets, from New York to London, Frankfurt to Tokyo, Hong Kong to Shanghai, are willing to reward digitalization efforts made by a logistics company in the form of both higher absolute value and rate of increase of market capitalization. / Business Administration/Finance

In the transition from fossil fuels, the energy sector is facing an urgent transition to a more sustainable way of consuming energy and using power resources. In the coming 15-20 years, Sweden is looking to increase their need for electricity by 65%, which the infrastructure is not yet prepared to manage. During the energy crisis of 2022, the households managed to lower their consumption substantially, with high prices as the main incentive. However, this testified to their potential to be a part of future solutions in the energy sector. During the crisis, the use of digital services increased drastically, and the energy companies with, by far, the highest customer satisfaction rate were those utilizing data, algorithms and automatization in their value offers. The purpose of the study is therefore to deepen the understanding of how the usage of digital services in energy management supports the customer in lowering consumption, with the aim to provide industry recommendations on digitalization’s possibility to maintain or prolong the positive consumption effects. By conducting 23 semi-structured in-depth interviews with an explorative sample of house owners in southern Sweden. The results show that the use of digital services supported the customer by providing information on price and consumption, increasing energy awareness, creating second incentives to lower consumption and by automating energy management processes. Through theoretical analysis of previous research and the interview findings, this study proposes three overarching strategies of energy management derived from the energy crisis. Further analyzed through a sustainability lens, four industry recommendations for the sector's future digitalization and technology advancement are presented for involving the households in the transition to a sustainable energy consumption.

The social work profession, which traditionally relied on face-to-face interactions with clients, has been increasingly using digital communication. Though research has directed its attention to this phenomenon in a post Covid-19 era, very little data is available from professionals’ perspectives, particularly those working with children and families. Thus, this study aimed to explore how social workers from the Swedish Child Welfare Services have adapted to the new era of digital communication with children and youth placed in out-of-home care. We interviewed four social workers working in three different municipalities. A thematic analysis was used to interpret the results through the lens of Goffman’s interaction order theory. The findings show that digital communication has become part of the social workers’ daily routine. However, its application has both opportunities and challenges, and the participants’ responses indicate that a hybrid and reflective practice tailored to the children’s individual needs would be beneficial.

Uppsatsen utforskar de möjligheter och utmaningar som utbildning skapar i samband med implementering av ett system. När vår värld blir allt mer digital måste företag, organisationer och föreningar anpassa sig. En avgörande aspekt av framgångsrik implementering är utbildning, eftersom anställda behöver nödvändiga färdigheter för att kunna använda nya system effektivt. Det finns dock ingen enhetlig metod för träning under transformativa processer. Denna uppsats undersöker olika tillvägagångssätt och försöker svara på frågan: Hur arbetar organisationer med utbildning av anställda i arbetet med att införa och implementera IT-system? Genom att undersöka olika fallstudier och implementeringsstrategier ges ett samtida forskningsperspektiv. De valda fallstudierna använder olika träningsmetoder som delat lärande, samarbete, lärande genom att göra samt digital/analog utbildning genom video- och textformat. Mellanchefers engagemang i lärandeprocessen framstår i många fall som en betydande faktor. När mellanchefer och anställda aktivt deltar i lärandet skapar det en solid grund för kunskapsupptagande och acceptans av nya system. Vidare identifieras nya forskningsvägar. En av dem är att prioritera utformningen av utbildning utifrån organisationskultur. Vi ser ett behov av att noggrant undersöka organisationskulturer och bestämma vilka specifika träningsmetoder som är bäst lämpade för olika sammanhang. / The essay explores the opportunities and challenges presented by training in connection to an implementation of a system. As our world becomes increasingly digital, companies, organizations, and associations must adapt. A crucial aspect of successful implementation is training, as employees require the necessary skills to utilize new systems effectively. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to training during transformative processes. This essay investigates different approaches and seeks to answer the question: “How do organizations work with training employees in the work of introducing and implementing IT systems?” By examining various case studies and implementation strategies, a contemporary research perspective is provided. The chosen case studies employ diverse training methods, such as shared learning, collaboration, learning by doing, and digital/analogue education through video and text formats. Middle managers' involvement in the learning process emerges as a beneficial factor in many cases. When middle managers and employees actively participate in the learning experience, it establishes a solid foundation for knowledge absorption and acceptance of new systems. Furthermore, different research avenues are identified. FirOne being to prioritize the design of education based on organizational culture. We also identify a nedd to closely examine organizational cultures and determine which specific training methods are best suited for different contexts.

Our digital world is accelerating at a rapid pace and has made technology a prime component of today’s societies. The development of digitalization affects us all in one way or another but it primarily affects our senior citizens, those who may possess a less developed knowledge within the field. How do senior citizens experience digitalization and its effects on their everyday lives?. This thesis conducted with phenomenographic semi-structured interviews aims to analyze and grasp how senior citizens experience and perceive the developing digitalization in the western world. Studies stresses how technology and digitalization increase information and communication spread in our societies and can be an efficient tool for staying in touch with relatives and close friends living far away. The results of this study, however, emphasizes on the, less talked about, negative aspects of digitalization.   The collected material consists of the answers extracted from eight interviews with male and females aged 65-80+ and these answers are categorized into similarities and differences seen in the interviews. Theoretical perspective of digital divide, ageism, visions of time, concept of experience and social imaginaries were applied to the extracted material to place the experiences in a context. The analysis clearly presents a difference between the genders and their relation to digitalization and it does relate to previous integration and knowledge with the technological field. The male interviewees communicate positive experiences with the digital world as a majority of them have been in contact with technology during their working life. The women on the other hand have more dull perceptions of digitalization and are experiencing feelings of fear of falling behind in the digital world. Self-efficacy and acceleration of time, society, and the digital world play part in how digitalization is experienced and perceived by senior citizens, a generation which may find themselves in a situation where they are unwillingly excluded from the digital society due to lack of previous knowledge and the opportunity to learn without requirements from society.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur digitaliseringen förändrat rekryteringsprocess för personer som arbetar med rekrytering. I studien undersöks även vilken roll AI idag har inom rekryteringsprocessen samt vilken roll den kan förväntas ha i framtiden. Där de två forskningsfrågor vi tagit fram behandlar dessa två områden. Studien har en kvalitativ metodansats där data samlats genom semistrukturerade intervjuer samt en litteraturstudie. Studien innefattar sju olika respondenter från sex olika organisationer där de arbetar med rekrytering. Materialet har analyserats med en tematiskt analysmetod där vi identifierat tre huvudteman - digitalisering, rekryteringsprocess samt AI. Studiens resultat visar att digitaliseringen har haft en stor och i de flesta fall positiv påverkan på rekryteringsprocessen. Där har rekryterar kunnat effektivisera sin tid genom verktyg som underlättat både hantering av kandidater och rekryteringsprocessen i stort. Flera respondenter menar dock på att en helt digital rekryteringsprocess inte är ett alternativ då det mänskliga mötet inte går att ersätta. Resultatet visar fortsatt på att AI idag inte har en viktig roll i dagens rekryteringsprocesser. Men att det finns potential och en nyfikenhet på vilket bidrag tekniken kan tillföra i framtiden. Men på liknande sätt så ses inte AI och dess verktyg som något som kommer att ersätta människan på något sätt men snarare underlätta och ge stöd i vissa delar av rekryteringsprocessens. / The purpose of this study is to examine how digitalization has changed the recruitment process for individuals working in recruitment. The study also investigates the current role of AI in the recruitment process and its expected role in the future. The two research questions developed for this study address these two areas. The study adopts a qualitative methodology, gathering data through semi-structured interviews and a literature review. The study includes seven respondents from six different organizations involved in recruitment. The data has been analyzed using thematic analysis, resulting in the identification of three main themes - digitalization, the recruitment process, and AI. The findings of the study indicate that digitalization has had a significant and mostly positive impact on the recruitment process. Recruiters have been able to streamline their time through tools that facilitate candidate management and the overall recruitment process. However, several respondents argue that a completely digital recruitment process is not feasible as human interaction cannot be replaced. The results also indicate that AI does not currently play a significant role in today's recruitment processes. However, there is potential and curiosity regarding the contributions the technology can make in the future. But at the same time, AI and its tools are not seen as something that will replace humans but rather as means to facilitate and support certain aspects of the recruitment process.

BIM Standardization holds significant importance within the AEC industry and contractors serve as one of the primary users of standards. This thesis undertakes an exploration of the incentives that drive contractors toward BIM standardization. The research employed semi-structured interviews as the principal means of data acquisition, based on their adaptability in examining intricate matters and extracting comprehensive insights from individuals operating within the Swedish construction sector. Respondents were carefully chosen from the Swedish AEC industry, with a particular focus on contractors and experts engaged in BIM, digitalization, and standardization. The interviews were designed to elicit valuable perspectives regarding the establishment of motivations for contractors regarding BIM standardization. This study's findings offer a comprehensive understanding of standardization in the Swedish AEC industry for contractors. Key insights include the need to bridge the gap between theoretical standards and practical implementation, how standards can address challenges in requirement management, communication, and technology. Contractors' role in driving digitalization and the significance of project delivery methods were also highlighted. The findings emphasize the importance of practical implementation, effective communication, technological advancements, information coordination, and appropriate project delivery methods for successful standardization. This study concludes that involving contractors in the standard development process helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. Addressing challenges in requirements management for the client, requires stakeholder involvement, cultural shift, and automatization relating it back to standardization. The choice of project delivery method may influence BIM standardization with proper collaboration and information coordination being crucial. Standards can empower contractors to drive digitalization forwards in the industry, leading to increased efficiency and innovation. / Standardisering är av stor betydelse inom samhällsbyggnadssektorn och byggentreprenörer är en av de huvudsakliga användarna av standarder. Denna avhandling utforskar incitamenten som driver byggentreprenörer mot BIM-standardisering. Studien använde semistrukturerade intervjuer som huvudsaklig datainsamlingsmetod på grund av metodens flexibilitet att utforska komplexa frågeställningar och erhålla detaljerade erfarenheter från individer verksamma inom den svenska samhällsbyggnadssektorn. Respondenterna valdes ut med särskilt fokus på byggentreprenörer och experter involverade i BIM, digitalisering och standardisering. Syftet med intervjufrågorna var att erhålla insikter om möjliga incitament för att främja BIM-standardisering för byggentreprenörer.  Resultatet av studien bidrar till en djupgående förståelse av BIM-standardisering förbyggentreprenörer. Insikter gällande behovet av att överbrygga klyftan mellan teoretisk kunskap och praktisk implementering av standarder. Vidare identifieras tillämpningar av standarder relaterade till kravhantering, kommunikation och teknik. Studien framhåller också betydelsen av standardisering för byggentreprenörens roll i främjandet av digitalisering. Resultaten understryker behovet av praktisk implementering av standarder, informationssamordning, tillämpningar av standarder för kravhantering och digitalisering.  Studien visar att inkludera byggentreprenörer i de grupper som sköter framtagandet av BIMstandarder hjälper till att överbrygga klyftan mellan teori och praktik. Att ta itu med utmaningar inom kravhantering för byggherrar kräver samarbete av intressenter och där kan standardisering av BIM spela en viktig roll. Valet av entreprenadform kan påverka standardisering, men samarbete och informationssamordning spelar oavsett entreprenadform en avgörande roll. Standarder kan ge byggentreprenörer möjlighet att driva digitalisering framåt för branschen, vilket leder till ökad effektivitet och innovation inom byggsektorn.

Förändringstrycket inom den svenska banksektorn har ökat, sedan informationsteknologins intåg på 70-talet. Traditionella arbetssätt utmanas genom nya krav och förväntningar från kunder och omvärlden, vilket indikerar att kontinuerliga förändringar hänförliga till digitalisering är nödvändigt för fortsatt konkurrenskraft och överlevnad. Denna fallstudie undersöker hur anställda på en storbank upplever och förstår förändring och förändringsledning till följd av digitalisering. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med anställda i olika befattningar för att analysera deras upplevelser utifrån teorin om meningsskapande. Resultatet visar att det råder en gemensam förståelse att förändring är nödvändig, men att det sker långsamt. Anställda upplever att förändringsledning till stor del sker genom självledarskap, samt att kommunikation och information är centralt för att förstå varför förändringar sker. Banken uppmuntrar till delaktighet, men det förekommer otydlighet i ansvarsfördelningen. Tidigare forskning har i stor utsträckning betraktat förändring och förändringsledning i projektform. Med utgångspunkt i att verksamheten befinner sig i en kontinuerlig förändringsprocess utan ett bestämt slutdatum kan det konstateras att förändringsbenägenhet hos anställda är nödvändig. Slutsatsen är att medarbetare skapar mening och förståelse utifrån förväntningar från ledarhåll som uttrycks i självledarskap. Förståelse för förändring skapas i interaktion med andra individer, och  tydligare respons på delaktighet i förändringar bidrar till bättre förståelse för förändring. / The pressure for change within the Swedish banking sector has increased since the emergence of information technology in the 1970s. Traditional work methods are being challenged by new customer demands and expectations, indicating the necessity of continuous digitalization-driven changes for sustained competitiveness and survival. This case study investigates how employees in a bank perceive and comprehend change and change management resulting from digitalization. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees in various positions to analyze their experiences through theory of sensemaking. The findings reveal a shared understanding that change is necessary, although occurring slowly. Employees perceive that change management occurs through self-leadership, and effective communication and information are crucial for comprehending the rationale behind the changes. The bank encourages employee participation, but there are instances of ambiguity in terms of responsibility. Previous research has predominantly focused on change and change management within the context of projects. Considering the business's continuous change process, it can be concluded that employee change propensity is essential. The study concludes that employees derive meaning and understanding based on leadership expectations, which are expressed through self-leadership. Understanding of change is fostered through interactions with others, and a more explicit response to participation in change initiatives contributes to a better understanding of the changes.

Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva hur digitaliseringen har påverkat företagskunders affärsrelation till banken, samt att identifiera faktorer som kan bidra till att bygga och bevara långsiktigt lönsamma kundrelationer. I inledningen behandlades tidigare forskning, där det konstaterades att banker behöver utveckla en bättre förståelse för sina kunder för att behålla lojala kundrelationer, samt att det fanns ett intresse för vidare studier av digitaliseringens påverkan på relationen mellan banker och dess kunder, från kundens perspektiv. En kvalitativ forskningsdesign användes genom studien då företagskunders upplevelser var den data som som avsågs att samlas in. Datainsamling gjordes genom 15 kvalitativa intervjuer med personer som har varit aktiva företagskunder under hela den studerade perioden, från 2013 till 2023. Frågorna som ställdes till respondenterna var framtagna med stöd från studiens teoretiska referensram. Det teoretiska kapitlet behandlade resultat från tidigare forskning och teorier inom studiens centrala områden: Företagskund, Bank, Digitalisering, Kommunikation och Affärsrelation. En tematisk analys valdes för att analysera insamlingen av den kvalitativa datan tillsammans med det befintliga teoretiska ramverket. Den tematiska analysen utgick från det teoretiska ramverkets struktur där den presenterade teorin i kombination med de empiriska resultaten, resulterade i en presentation av hur de valda ämnena relaterade till varandra. Studien mynnade ut i slutsatsen att digitaliseringen upplevs ha formaliserat affärsrelationen mellan bank och företagskund. Det kunde också konstateras att digitaliseringen har lett till en ökad priskonkurrens inom bankbranschen för segmentet företagskunder. / The purpose of this study was to describe how digitalization has affected the business relationship between corporate customers and banks, as well as to identify factors that can contribute to building and maintaining long-term profitable customer relationships. The introduction addressed previous research, which acknowledged that banks need to develop a better understanding of their customers to retain loyal customer relationships. Previous research had also expressed an interest in further studying the impact of digitalization on the relationship between banks and their customers from the customer's perspective. A qualitative research design was utilized in this study as the experiences of corporate customers were the data intended to be collected. Data collection was done through 15 qualitative interviews with individuals who had been active corporate customers of banks throughout the studied period, from 2013 to 2023. The questions presented to the respondents were based on this study’s theoretical framework. The theoretical chapter presented results from previous research along with theories within the studied area of Corporate Customer, Bank, Digitalization, Communication and Business Relationship. A thematic analysis was chosen to analyze the collected qualitative data along with the existing theoretical framework. The thematic analysis was based on the structure of the theoretical framework, where the presented theory in combination with the empirical results resulted in a presentation of how the selected subjects relate to one another. The study concluded that digitalization has formalized the business relationship between banks and corporate customers. It could also be determined that digitalization has led to increased price competition within the banking industry for the segment of corporate customers.

In an era where digital platforms play a crucial role, companies often encounter challenges associated with the digital geopolitical landscape. This thesis focuses on investigating the impact of digitalization on global companies operating in China, with an emphasis on the risks and challenges emerging from the digital geopolitical landscape. The thesis further aims to provide mitigations to avoid the threats posed to companies. Interviews with experts and stakeholders from FOI, Microsoft, and Atlas Copco were conducted, and additional internal data regarding competence development from Atlas Copco was used to support the results. The research findings highlighted that technology-related threats pose significant risks to distributed companies operating in China. These threats manifest in various forms, such as the constant need to adapt to the evolving Chinese regulatory environment and constraints on technology transfers. In response, several mitigations were identified, including the establishment of a dedicated team responsible for monitoring and complying with Chinese regulations and diversifying the supply chain. The thesis also examined the impact of these threats on the IT competence within Atlas Copco, bringing attention to concerns regarding knowledge gaps in advanced training specifically in China.