The focus of this study was to investigate how a spatial interface can be effectively utilized to support information presentation and information integration via human-centric data visualization, leading to decreased cognitive load, more accurate situation awareness, and subsequently, improved task performance. In high tempo, information intensive environments like those managed by an emergency operations center (EOC), information organization tools are essential. Though users can be trained to use conventional email software applications efficiently, the constraints of the information management paradigms inherent to conventional systems may limit a user's ability to gather context and create an accurate picture of the situation. It is possible that new data visualization techniques and information management paradigms may improve a user's performance far beyond these limits. To address these issues, theories regarding information management, cognitive workload and data visualization paradigms were explored and applied to create a software prototype spatial interface. This study focused on how an individual member of an EOC would need to collect and organize incoming incident reports (e.g., emails) for the purpose of quick analysis and integration. The operator then used this information to build a picture of the event or events taking place in their sphere of influence. Performance metrics were applied to determine whether or not an individual could perform faster and more accurately with the Incident Report Visual Organizer (IRVO) prototype software interface as opposed to a conventional interface (Microsoft Outlook). The findings from this exploratory evaluation are discussed, as well as the potential implications of utilizing spatial interfaces to manage information in dynamic environments.

How people create and use information scraps, the small informal messages that people write to themselves to help them complete a task or remember something, has changed rapidly in the age of mobile computing. As recently as 2008, information scraps had continued to resist technological support. Since then, however, people have adopted mobile connected devices at a rate unimagined in the pre-smartphone era. Developers have, in turn, created a varied and growing body of smartphone software that supports many common information scrap use-cases. In this thesis, we describe our research into how and why people have adopted smartphone technology to serve their information scrap needs. The results of our survey show broad adoption of smartphones for many common information scrap tasks, particularly ones involving prospective memory. In addition, the results of our diary studies show that mobile contexts or locations are highly correlated with people's choosing to use smartphones to record information scraps. Our analysis of our diary study data also provides fresh understanding of the information scrap lifecycle and how mobile digital technology affects it. We find people's smartphone information scraps tend toward automatic archival, and we find their information scraps in general tend toward substantial role overlap regardless of medium. We use these findings to formulate a new information scrap lifecycle that is inclusive of mobile technology. These insights will help mobile technology creators to better support information scraps, which, in turn will allow users to enjoy the huge benefits of digital technology in their information scrap tasks. / Master of Science

The AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry has been undergoing a significant digitaliza-tion process in the last years. This transformation implies new challenges and adaptation concerning the ex-change of data between different software applications. Therefore, in response to this problem the benefits of IFC as a solution for the exchange of data have been investigated. However, the current versions of IFC cannot achieve semantic clarity in mapping entities and relationships. Therefore, there have been several attempts to develop solutions and optimizing methods to improve the exchange of information of product data. This paper aims to identify and investigate the challenges of using product data templates (PDT) for exchange of infor-mation and different PDT has been evaluated and compared. The necessary data was collected through literature review and document analysis. Five challenges and five initiatives were identified during the literature review. The five initiatives are Semantic web and linked data, CoClass, Buildingsmart, COBie and Cobuilder. The result showed how these initiatives could solve the identified challenges.

This dissertation examines the way that demands for more control over the collection, processing, and sharing of personal data are being managed by both government and industry leaders with strategies that appear to comply with regulations, but that fail to do so. These are “by-design” strategies used by individuals to unilaterally manage their data with automated tools. I take a multimethod approach that combines autoethnography, reverse engineering techniques, and data analysis to assess the implementation of by-design services implemented by Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in compliance with current European Union regulations for access and portability. I also employ archival research, discourse analysis, interviews, and participant observation. I argue that self-led, by-design approaches do not answer the demands for more control over personal data. The regulatory and technical resources put in place for individuals to control their data are not effective because they turn over decisions about execution to an industry with no interest in sharing that data or being regulated. If policymakers continue to pursue by-design approaches, they will need to learn how to test the techniques, and the execution of the techniques, provided by industry. They will need to assess the impact on data that is made available. So that results can be evaluated, by-design tools like the ones I assessed must be accompanied by clear and detailed details about design choices and procedures. In this vein, I offer directions for critical scrutiny, including standards and measuring the impact of APIs. I conclude that self-managed, by-design approaches are not the source of the problem. But they are a symptom of the need for critical scrutiny over the execution of tools like the ones offered by Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Ultimately, I found that portability and access are legally and technically fraught. However, despite the shortcomings of by-design approaches, personal data can be more effectively regulated in Europe than in the United States as the result of current regulations.

This is a qualitative survey study that examines co-workers’ experiences of Information management within a Swedish authority. Previous research claims that co-workers' perceptions of Information management have not been studied and there is an understanding in science that there is a lack of studies from co-workers’ point of view in this field. The purpose of the study is to contribute with knowledge regarding how communication is experienced by co-workers regarding their own participation within Information management processes. Theories on which this study is based are within communication research and information science with the assumption that knowledge is a human activity and that employees are both carriers of and practitioners of knowledge, communication and learning processes. A survey with questions concerning communication, knowledge, sustainability, and digitalization within the Swedish Transport Administration was conducted and analyzed through a qualitative thematic analysis and put in relation to the communicative organization model and knowledge sharing processes. The result showed that the co- workers perceived the internal information and communication similarly and that they were well aware of the organization’s visions and values. There were a weakness in the internal information processes and in the understanding of the sustainability roles for the individual co-worker. Conclusions were drawn that the studied respondents in the population have a good foundation for becoming a communicative organization regarding the correlation to previous research. Further research could concern different units within the organization as well as other authorities to make comparisons with the different areas of activity.

This study aims to enhance our understanding of how organizations leverage AI tools in the context of information for decision-making processes. Employing a methodological approach the research conducts interviews with experts proficient in both AI and various professional domains. The objective is to explore the rationale behind their utilization of AI for decision-making, shedding light on the motivations and methodologies involved. The study also addresses the array of risks associated with this process, stemming from challenges related to reliable information sources and a limited comprehension of the underlying AI techniques. The empirical findings indicate that AI is perceived by experts as a catalyst for a paradigm shift in how we acquire and utilize information, potentially reshaping working environments in the near future. While experts acknowledge the transformative potential of AI, they emphasize that AI, in its current state, is not sufficiently intelligent to replace human decisionmakers. Instead, it is viewed as a conceptual tool, an assistant, and an integral part of the creative decision-making process. The study suggests that a "hybrid intelligent" approach, combining human and machine capabilities, could address the limitations of both humans and machines, offering a viable pathway towards improved decision-making.

No description available.

No description available.

Byggbranschen anses vara en konservativ bransch som är trög att implementera nya innovationer i sina olika faser. Det kan bero på att ingen vågar ta steget och det inväntas resultat ifrån den som faktiskt vågade. Därför går det sakta framåt med utvecklingen av tjänster och programvaror. Ordet BIM, byggnadsinformationsmodellering, har länge funnits i luften i branschen och flera aktörer har fått förståelse för dess utvecklingsmöjlighet. Det effektiviserar i projekteringen och samlar stora mängder information i en samlad modell. Undersökningar har gjorts på BIMs påverkan i projektering men inte lika mycket har gjorts i förvaltningsfasen. Förvaltningen är trots allt den fasen som är majoritet av livslängden på en byggnad. Nyfikenheten växer i byggbranschen och insikt i vilka möjligheter som kan erbjudas har diskuterats, men i praktiken är användningen i sitt första skede. Den här studiens syfte är att undersöka huruvida BIM kan påverka förvaltningen, specifikt underhållsarbete, och dess utvecklingsmöjlighet. Studien utgår från teoretiska begrepp som lägger grunden till undersökning om hur underhåll påverkas av BIM. Studien har genomförts genom en litteraturstudie som har jämförts med fem semistrukturerade intervjuer med personer berörda av ämnet. De intervjuades roller är fastighetsägare, förvaltare, projektledare och BIM specialister. Studien har identifierat en vision hur BIM kan fungera i förvaltningsskedet, men som inte är helt möjligt idag på grund av det hinder som finns vid implementeringen. Trots det använder företag liknande programvaror och nyttor som BIM. Företagen har olika syn på hur BIM kan hjälpa till vid implementering inom underhåll. Studien redovisar de fördelar och de hinder som finns vid implementeringen vid förvaltning och underhåll med en koppling till hållbarhet. Det tas upp hur viktigt informationshanteringen är vid underhållsplanering samt problem som uppstår. Resultatet visar på att en utveckling på marknaden måste göras samt hur viktigt samarbete i en organisation är. / The construction industry is considered a conservative industry that is slow to implement new innovations in its various phases. This may be because no one dares to take the step and results are expected from those who actually dared. Therefore, the development of services and software is progressing slowly. The word BIM, building information modeling, has long been in the air in the industry and several players have gained an understanding of its development potential. It streamlines planning execution and gathers large amounts of information in a single model. Investigations have been made of BIM's impact in planning, but not as much has been done in the management phase. After all, management is the phase that is the majority of the lifespan of a building. Curiosity is growing in the construction industry and insight into what opportunities can be offered has been discussed, but in practice the use is in its first stages. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether BIM can affect management, specific maintenance work, and its development potential. The study is based on theoretical concepts that lay the foundation for research on how maintenance is affected by BIM. The study was conducted through a literature study that was compared with five semi-structured interviews with people affected by the subject. The roles of the interviewees are property owners, managers, project managers and BIM specialists. The study has identified a vision of how BIM can function in the management phase, but is not entirely possible today due to the obstacles that exist in the implementation. Nevertheless, companies use similar software and benefits as BIM. The companies have different views on how BIM can help with implementation in maintenance. The study reports the advantages and obstacles that exist in the implementation of management and maintenance with a connection to sustainability. It addresses the importance of information management in maintenance planning and problems that arise. The results show that a development in the market must be made and how important cooperation in an organization is.

Due to different engineering background and limited technical prerequisites, trade-offs are needed when managing information in complex product development. The challenges faced with information management for complex product development are as much of organizational as technical character. Information management has in this thesis been analyzed from both a technical and organizational dimension in order to obtain an integrated view and holistic understanding. The technical dimension focuses on information management systems, such as product lifecycle management systems. An information management system in itself does not solve problems in an organization; it manages at its best all types of business data while storing and retrieving information. In order to succeed, information management needs to be aligned with different needs and with a variety of domain-specific work procedures. The organizational dimension includes organizational structures, work procedures, and the designer and management perspectives on needs and benefits with information management. Perceived benefits with integrated information management are identified as support for SE, work procedure mapping, use of disciplinary support tools, and data integrity and availability. Five technical and organizational key success factors for efficient information management are presented; usability, integration of information, motivation, information structure and organizational support. It is concluded that structured information, management support and motivation among designers are more important than customization of information management systems in order to achieve integrated information management. / <p>QC 20101112</p>