Det blir allt viktigare med en väl fungerande flödeskedja som kan hantera material och tjänster på ett så effektivt sätt som möjligt. Studier visar på att det är flödeskedjorna som konkurrerar med varandra och inte företagen, vilket medför att kedjorna behöver vara konkurrenskraftiga. Detta sker genom att de aktiviteter som flödeskedjan består av integreras med varandra för att minimera slöseri av värdefulla resurser. Den tekniska utvecklingen har möjliggjort effektiv integrering med hjälp av automatisering. Implementering och införande av automatisering i flödeskedjan ökar möjligheten till att integrera olika aktiviteter inom kedjan då det bland annat möjliggör datainsamling av information som kan delas och spridas genom hela flödeskedjan. Syftet med denna studie är att kartlägga och analysera flödeskedjan för materialförsörjning hos fallföretaget LKAB, för att sedan utreda huruvida de med hjälp av automatisering och utveckling av de processer som kedjan består av kan förbättra sin produktivitet. Studien fokuserar på processerna i materialförsörjningen ända från den hubbverksamhet som i dagsläget används, hela vägen till de interna slutkunderna, vilket är de anställda på LKAB. Målet med studien är att leverera konkreta förslag som är väl anpassade efter företagets miljö och som fokuserar på de interna slutkunderna. Utifrån den nulägesbild som togs fram med hjälp av intervjuer, observationer och genomgångar, tillsammans med den genomförda litteraturstudien, analyserades de olika processerna i flödeskedjan. Genom analysen framgick det bland annat att det arbete som utförs vid hubbverksamheten inte är integrerat med resterande delar av flödeskedjan. Utöver detta framgick det att det nuvarande arbetssättet vid centralförrådet och framförallt godsmottagningen involverar mycket manuellt men nödvändigt arbete. Litteraturstudien användes sedan för att utvärdera och identifiera tänkbara lösningar för att effektivisera dessa processer för att uppnå ökad produktivitet i flödeskedjan. Via studien framgick det att automatisering leder till ökad produktivitet genom bland annat avlastning av manuellt arbete, ökad arbetsproduktivitet och minskade ledtider. Utifrån detta studerades och analyserades tre olika automatiseringslösningar, streckkod-, RFID-, och IoT-lösningar. Resultatet visade på att de tre olika lösningarna har olika fördelar och utmaningar kopplade till en implementering hos fallföretaget. Av de tre lösningarna anses streckkoder vara minst fördelaktig men också medföra minst utmaningar, medan RFID och IoT är mer fördelaktiga men också är kopplade till större utmaningar. Rekommendationerna till LKAB är att optimera det befintliga arbetet med cross-docking som i nuläget utförs vid hubbverksamheten. Detta genom att utveckla uppdelningen av gods för att minska dubbelhantering av gods i flödeskedjan. Fallföretaget rekommenderas även att implementera RFID-, och IoT-märkning av gods, för att minimera den manuella hanteringen, öka spårbarheten och öka flexibiliteten. En implementering av dessa rekommendationer skapar möjlighet till att delar av det inkommande godset inte längre behöver hanteras i centralförrådet. Detta gäller för det gods som ska levereras direkt till de interna slutkunderna och därmed inte lagerläggas. / The importance of a well-functioning supply chain that can handle materials and services in the most efficient way possible is increasing. According to several studies it is the supply chains that compete with each other rather than the companies themselves, which implies requirements for competitive chains. This can be done by integrating the activities in the supply chain with each other, in order to minimize waste of valuable resources. The development of technology has enabled effective integration through automation. Implementation of automation in the supply chain increases the ability to integrate different activities within the chain, as it, among other things, enables data collection of information that can be shared and spread throughout the entire supply chain. The purpose of this study is to map and analyze the material supply chain at LKAB, followed by investigating whether, through automation and development of the consisting processes of the supply chain, they can improve their productivity. The study focuses on all the activities in the material supply chain, from the hub that is currently in use, to the internal end customer, which are the employees at LKAB. The purpose of the study is to develop concrete proposals that are well adapted to the company's environment and with focus on the internal end customers. Based on the image of the current situation, developed using interviews, observations and reviews, along with the conducted literature study, the different activities of the supply chain were analyzed. Through the analysis it was noted, among other things, that the work performed in the hub is not integrated with the remaining parts of the supply chain. In addition to this, it was found that the current procedure of work at the central warehouse, and especially the goods reception, involves a lot of manual but necessary work. The literature study was then used to evaluate and identify possible solutions to streamline these processes in order to achieve increased productivity in the supply chain. Through the study, it was found that automation leads to an increase in productivity though, among other things, relieving of manual work, increased labor productivity and reduced lead times. Based on this, three different automation solutions, barcode, RFID and IoT solutions were studied and analyzed. The results from this showed that the three different solutions have different advantages and challenges linked to an implementation at the case company. Out of the three solutions, barcodes are considered to be the least advantageous but it also involves the least amount of challenges, while RFID and IoT are more beneficial but in turn are connected to greater challenges. The recommendations to LKAB are firstly to optimize the already existing work with cross docking performed at the hub. This by developing the division of goods to reduce the dual processing of goods in the supply chain. The second recommendation to the case company is to implement RFID, and IoT marking of goods, to minimize manual handling, increase traceability, and increase flexibility. An implementation of these recommendations will also enable some parts of the incoming goods to no longer require being handled in the central warehouse. These parts include the goods that are to be delivered directly to the internal end customer and thus not being stored.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyse the positive impact of digitization on the production environment and challenges that may come along with digitalization. This study goes further on to looking into how to increase the use of digital tools. Method: The method used in this study is mainly based on an interview study, where interviews are carried out with expertise of the field of digitization. Literature study was used to compliment the interview study with previous scientific studies on the field. The literature used is based on scientific articles, reports, government reports and relevant previous studies related to the subject. Results: The results from the interview study showed that the use of digital tools had positive impact on the construction stage. The most important benefit of digitization is the information management. There are also economical and work environmental benefits as well as higher work productivity. However, there are no exact figures showing these profits. The result also shows what challenges can be encountered and how these challenges can be best avoided. In addition, this study highlights how the industry should go about increasing the use of digital tools. Conclusion: The conclusions that can be drawn are that digitization has positive impact in construction, but challenges can arise. These challenges can be avoided through cooperation between companies and participantes to achieve a more digitized construction stage.

Samhället genomgår en digital transformation och inom offentlig sektor är en centralmålsättning att ta till sig de nya möjligheterna för att effektivisera sin verksamhet. Ökaddigitalisering har föranlett att automatisering av processer genom implementation avrobotiserad processautomatisering (RPA) blivit en metod vilken i snabb takt vuxit ipopularitet då detta erbjuder ett flertal möjligheter för organisationer. Dock är denna metodinte utan sina begränsningar och utmaningar. Syftet med denna studie är därför att utforska demöjligheter och utmaningar som föreligger för RPA i kontexten av offentlig sektor. För dettatillämpas en abduktiv, kvalitativ metod genom en flerfallsstudie. Resultatet visar attimplementation av RPA kan vara i enlighet med mål och visioner angående digitalisering ochautomatisering inom offentlig sektor. Vidare visas att det finns möjligheter för RPA genomeffektivisering och kvalitetssäkring i automatiserade processer samt effektivisering ochrationalisering i verksamheten, även om rationalisering genom RPA synes ovanligt inomoffentlig sektor. Istället används RPA här vanligen för att frigöra tid för medarbetare attengagera sig i mer värdeskapande aktiviteter, vilket även rapporteras kunna ökaarbetsnöjdheten hos medarbetare. Samtidigt visar studien på utmaningar för RPA vilka ihuvudsak relaterar till att under implementationen identifiera lämpliga processer därkriterium av stabilitet för RPA beskrivs som särskilt utmanande att uppfylla. Vidare visarstudien att det kan vara utmanande att uttömmande nyttja kapaciteten för roboten. / Society is experiencing a digital transformation and in the public sector a central objectiveexists in utilizing the new possibilities to rationalize their operations. Increased digitizationhas caused a surge in popularity for automation of processes through robotic processautomation (RPA) due to the many opportunities it offers organizations. However, thismethod is not without its limitations and challenges. The purpose of this study is therefore toexplore the opportunities and challenges that accompany the implementation of RPA in thecontext of the public sector. To this end, an abductive, qualitative method is applied through amultiple case study. The result shows that the implementation of RPA can be in line withobjectives and visions regarding digitalisation and automatisation within the public sector.Furthermore, it is shown that there are opportunities for RPA to increase the effectiveness andquality of processes and to enable rationalisation in the organisations, although rationalisationthough layoffs seem like an uncommon use of RPA in the public sector. Instead, RPA is morecommonly used to offload employees so that they instead can engage in activities whichcreate more value, which also shows promise in increasing employee satisfaction.Simultaneously, there are challenges for the implementation of RPA in regard to identifyingprocesses that are suitable for automation through RPA which mainly relate to fulfillingcriteria regarding stability in the environment in which RPA is implemented. Furthermore,the study shows that it may be challenging to exhaustively make use of the capacity of the RPA.

Radiology nurse is a profession which holds identification fromthe National Board of Health and Welfare and contains bothhightech elements and nursing competence. Based on interviews with thebusiness's unit manager, there is no mapping of the business'sprocesses, which leads to difficulties in streamlining andidentifying possible improvements. By structuring the workprocesses and mapping, opportunities are created to initiateproductivity indicators that leads to improving working conditionsbut also develops the business. The purpose of this case study is toidentify productivity indicators for the radiology departmentat Visby Hospital, to measure the efficiency of the processes andinfluence the process from referral to statement. To achieve thepurpose, the following questions are answered: What processes arethere to measure? How can a production plan streamline theradiology process? What productivity indicators are necessary for thedepartment?The selected theories for the study are value-based care, processmanagement, process mapping, balanced scorecard, processmeasurement, Lean and principles-working methods. The study has ascientific approach that is linked to the empirical researchapproach so-called grounded theory, which is considered aqualitative approach. This study uses interviews and documentcollection to formulate theories and link it to empirical data.The results of the study show that the organization lacks a processmapping of its processes, which leads to a production plan notbeing able to be executed and goals with indicators in theprocesses do not exist in the business. The study providesproposals for a process mapping and to establish a production plan tomanage incoming referrals with available resources as staffing.This should interact with possible indicators that are applied todesign measurable goals for the business.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the problems and challenges within the building permit process specifically for new constructions, changes to existing constructions and extensions. Method: The chosen method for this study was literature study and a case study. Furthermore, the case study covered an interview with business coordinator Robin Eklund Olsson and a survey which was sent to people who has been involved in a building permit process. Results: The results presented shows how the municipality of Västerås handles the digitalization of the building permit process. An analyze of how digitalization can countermeasure the problems and challenges within the building permit process was presented. Furthermore, the results show how well the E-service is experienced by the users applying for a building permit. Lastly the results presented different kinds of suggestions for how to improve the building permit process in Västerås municipality.  Conclusions: The conclusions are that the building permit administrators in Västerås are well equipped with digital tools to handle the building permit process. Advanced studies of existing and potentially new digital tools will help increase the digitalization of the process for the building permit administrators.

Abstract Bachelor thesis, Degree of Master of Science in Business and Economics, School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University in Växjö, Spring 2019, 2FE24E. Title: Robotics Process Automation - Important factors to take into consideration in a decision basis Authors: Linn Duàn och Lisa Strömvall Examiner: Pia Nylinder Advisor: Elin Funck Background and problem discussion: Robotics Process Automation (RPA) is a form of automation that has become a tool for achieving increased efficiency and quality improvements. In this study, we have chosen to investigate which factors that are important to take into consideration in a decision basis when implementing RPA. Increased efficiency, shorter lead times, increased customer satisfaction and improved job satisfaction are some of the many benefits that RPA can offer a company. However, it is important that the implementation is done on well-adapted processes and that previous documentation is available for evaluation. To know if an RPA is a profitable project, companies can use an ABC calculation or an investment analysis. Regarding the employees, RPA can cause concern among employees who are afraid that robotization will lead to a reduction of jobs in the future. But in relation with RPA taking over repetitive tasks, employees can apply excess time on more qualified tasks. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to highlight relevant parts of a decision basis by evaluating RP A. By highlighting important elements in a profitability analysis, identifying qualitative effects and obstacles that arise in connection with RPA, the study will present essential factors that should be taken into consideration in a decision basis. Method: A qualitative research approach has been used where we started from an evaluation study to answer our purpose. The insurance companies Folksam and If have been used for empirical collection. During six semi-structured interviews, questions have been asked about the reasons behind the implementation, how RPA is used, positive and negative effects, and issues concerning the employees' experiences at the implementation phase. Finally, all data have been transcribed, analyzed and sent back to the respective respondent for validation. It also explains the quality criteria’s and ethical considerations that permeate the work. Conclusion: The study results in important factors that should be taken into consideration when a decision basis is presented. The factors are presented as components in an investment analysis, lost/added activities in an ABC-calculation, and identification of qualitative effects as well as obstacles that limit the desired efficiency. Furthermore, it is explained how the different parts of the decision basis are interdependent and that they should be used as a complement to constitute a well-founded basis, to determine whether an implementation of RPA is appropriate or not. Key words: Robotics Process Automation, automation, efficiency, qualitative effects, calculation, decision basis.

Bakgrund: Digitaliseringens utveckling har medfört en tilltagande mängd information samt en omfördelning av standardiserade arbetsuppgifter till ett kvalificerat arbete. Dessa konsekvenser har influerat ekonomifunktionen till högre krav på hantering av information och en förändring av ekonomens roll. Det belyses även att digitalisering av ekonomifunktionens standardiserade processer ger upphov till effektivitet men ingen vidare förståelse avseende hur detta influerar de icke-standardiserade processerna och ekonomens roll.    Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva hur digitaliseringens utveckling påverkar ekonomifunktionens processer och därav vilka arbetsuppgifter som är möjliga att digitalisera. Vidare ämnar studien att analysera konsekvenserna, avseende krav på informationshantering samt ekonomens förändrade roll, som uppstår vid digitalisering av ekonomifunktionens processer. Studien avser därmed att utvidga befintlig kunskap genom att förklara relationen mellan processer, hantering av information samt ekonomens förändrade roll.     Metod: För att uppfylla studiens syfte har en fallstudie på tre fallföretag genomförts, där semistrukturerade intervjuer har utgjort grunden för empirisk datainsamling. Intervjuerna har genomförts för att skapa en helhetsuppfattning av digitaliseringens påverkan på ekonomifunktionen.    Slutsats: Det kan konstateras att relationerna mellan ekonomifunktionens processer, hanteringen av information samt ekonomens förändrade roll är avgörande för att uppnå en effektiv ekonomifunktion. Ekonomens analytiska- samt digitala kompetens i kombination med digitala system möjliggör för god informationshantering där värdefull information genereras. Detta främjar till ett större fokus vid de icke-standardiserade processerna och därmed ekonomens förmåga att analysera information och generera ett välgrundat beslutsunderlag. / Background: The development of the digitalization has brought an increasing amount of information as well as a redistribution of standardized activities to a more qualified work. These implications have influenced the accounting function with higher qualification of the information management and an evolution of the role of the economist. It is clear that the digitalization of the accounting function standardized processes has facilitated effectivity. However, there is a lack of understanding about how the non-standardized processes and the role of the economist have been affected by this.    Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe how the development of the digitalization is affecting the processes of the accounting function as well as what tasks that are possible to be digitalized. The aim is also to analyze the implications regarding the qualifications of the information management as well as the evolving role of the economist, that is influenced by the digitalization of the accounting function. The purpose with this study is also to contribute with greater knowledge by explaining the relationship between processes, information management and the evolving role of the economist.   Method: To fulfill the purpose of the study, a case study of three companies has been carried out, where semi-structured interviews have formed the basis for empirical data collection. The interviews have been conducted to create an overall view of the impact of digitization on the accounting function.   Conclusion: It can be concluded that the relations between the processes of the accounting function, the information management and the evolving role of the economist are crucial for achieving an efficient accounting function. The economist’s analytical and digital competence combined with digital systems enable a beneficial information management which create valuable information. This enable greater focus of the non-standardized processes and the economist ability to analyze the information and elaborate a favorable basis for decisions.

The aim of this study is to examine in what ways civics teachers perceive digitalization as a means of efficiency in perspectives mainly revolving the teachers’ organization. By conducting interviews with five teachers educating within civic studies, the aim is to collect data about a perceived reality, rather than a factual state. Hence the following essay focuses on a qualitative approach, rather than a quantitative. The interviews were conducted over the internet as a result of the raging pandemic, Covid-19. By including the neoliberal marketing model of New Public Management as the theoretical framework in the analysis, the purpose is to illuminate the difficulties of steering a dynamic organization with quantitative values. The result showed that teachers were generally pessimistic about the inclusion of digital tools within both the administration and the classroom. All of the interviewed teachers worked with digital tools, but in different extent and with varied competence. The work with digital tools was well established in both administration and classroom. Teachers believed the digital tools could be used as means of efficiency, but that would require a more pragmatic approach, from developing the tools, to implementing them. Teachers mainly believed digitalization to increase the workload. The conclusion is that the downside of including digital tools overweighed the upside. The main issues teachers mentioned included indirect threats to teacher autonomy and student equality. These threats sprung out of the economic efficiency teachers believed digitalization to muster. Digitalization could be used as means to create efficiency in teaching and administration, however, not when schools are steered by a neoliberal market fundamentalism. Questions rose on how the teachers’ education prepare its students for working within this reality, and how the style of teaching could adapt to the increased opportunities digital tools provide. Furthermore, considering the current state of the world with an on-going pandemic, how will the attitudes towards digital tools and digitalization be in a near future?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify perceived shortcomings in the process of building permits in municipality of Enköping from former customers’ perspective. The study also looked at if the content of the legislation made it difficult for the municipality to improve the process. Based on the identified shortcomings of the process a number of concrete improvement suggestions are presented that the municipality can use in future work to reach more satisfied customers and a more efficient process. Methods: To identify the perceived shortcomings a digital survey was sent to former customers in which they were asked about their experience and what could have made it better. Furthermore, an interview was made with the head of the building permits department to get an additional perspective on how the process works and what shortcomings are already known. The interview also helped to get the opinion of the municipality about the content of the legislation and if it makes their work easier or harder. Results: The results of the survey showed that five main areas were experienced as negative or difficult; the time-limit, the application documentation, the interpretation of the legislation, the fees and the ways to contact the department. The suggested improvements regarded an update of the information on the website, an increased efficiency in the channels of communication and a larger accessibility, structured work on consensus in interpretations of legislation and an increase of the digital services. Conclusions: The way to a more effective building permit process is not simple and many different factors can affect a costumer’s experience. By providing easy accessible and easy understandable information as well as digital services for the customers the time-limit of the process decreases. By creating a common interpretation of legislation between co-workers within the department and good ways for the costumer to communicate with the municipality many misunderstandings and a lot of frustration and potential delays can be avoided.

Studien genomförs i form av en fallstudie, på företaget KraftPowercon. I dagens industrier är det viktigt att alltid sträva efter att effektivisera, en kortare genomloppstid leder till ökad konkurrenskraft och flexibilitet i snabba ändringar i efterfrågan och kundkrav. Syftet är att undersöka sambandet mellan icke- värdeskapande aktiviteter och den totala genomloppstiden hos en produkt. Målet är sedan att skapa ett underlag som skall användas vid framtida effektiviseringsåtgärder på fallföretaget. Resultaten visas i form av en värdeflödesanalys och ett sambandsdiagram där två fabrikslayouter har tagits fram utifrån detta diagram. / This is a case study, at KraftPowercon. It is important to always become more efficiency, to survive the competition in the industry and to profit.Shorter throughput time will result in a greater competitiveness and higher flexibility regarding quick changes in demands. The purpose with the study is to examine the relation between non-value-adding activities and the throughput time for a specific product. The objective is to generate a material that will be used as ground in future changes, regarding the effectivity at the company. The results are presented in a value-map and a relation diagram, where two alternative plant layouts have been generated.