Lic.-avh. Luleå : Luleå tekniska univ., 2007.

The consultant in the construction process may have an important role in the innovation development. The purpose of this study is to investigate what impact on innovation in the construction process consultants might have. It also illustrates how innovation can be managed and distributed on the basis of consultant's role. It also discusses the diffusion of innovation from the consultant's involvement in both "ordinary" and R&D projects. On a consulting firm in Uppsala qualitative interviews were conducted with several employees. It appears that the "major innovations" usually takes place in the R&D projects. For a consulting firm with technology competence it can be centrally to present competitive offer, which is one reason to strive for innovation. The study shows that a consultancy firms participating can strengthen their skills. It is important that the consulting firm becomes aware of new materials and products. The construction industry is considered to have a low degree of innovation in comparison to other industries. Many actors continue with old and well-known methods to avoid risks and costs. The construction industries have a complex system with a number of actors involved in different parts of a project. There is no clear culture to bring further innovations to action. The type of contract in project is considered to have an impact on the ability to influence innovations. To strengthen the consulting companies, the opportunity to work with initiatives for innovation and to hold a dialogue with employees about innovative work, developing new methods and techniques are important.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2009.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) is the definition for using BIM in the construction process to simulate and analyse the building. Resulting use of the technology will according to proponents lead to fewer construction errors, a better understanding between stakeholders for the construction project, less communication problems and a smoother construction process. Although BIM has according to researchers a big potential, few companies have succeeded in broad and continues implementation. The study aims to identify the factors affecting the implementation. More precisely identify what factors influencing the decision to adopt VDC and potential barriers in the diffusion process. The empirical findings are based on a case study of NCC Construction Sweden. Data has been gathered thru interviews, field trips and internal documents. The results of the study indicates that four factors influence the decision to adopt VDC; the perceived benefits, associated effort to use the technology, social influences and supporting conditions. Experience from the technology, knowledge about it and how to use will have a positive impact on the decision do adopt. The process of implementing VDC into the organisation is affected by the complex nature of the technology. The technology needs to adapt to the projects context. The barriers identified in the diffusion process can be categorised into three levels; Individual level includes knowledge about the technology and how to use it. Organisational level includes lack of resources, process owner, design of the building process and economy. Interorganizational level includes institutions, standards and knowledge transfer.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2008. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

The purpose of our research was to examine whether the acceptance and diffusion of RFID technology among the employees at public libraries in Sweden, follow the classic diffusion of innovation model. RFID or Radio Frequency Identification, is a technology that uses radio frequency and microchip technology to track items, in our case, library books and other library materials. Diffusion is the process by which, in our case, the RFID technology is adopted by the library staff. The purpose of this study was to examine what factors influenced the acceptance and adoption of RFID among the library staff. We used Everett Rogers' Diffusion of innovation theory as our framework. According to this theory, there are a multitude of keyfactors, such as relative advantages, compatability, trialability, and observability which interact and influence the acceptance of new technology. For the purpose of this study we formulated a set of hypotheses, and to test them we conducted a nationwide quantitative survey. We used a questionnaire as our data collection instrument. The questionnaire was sent to the top-level employees (head librarian or equivalent) at all the Swedish public libraries. We used x^2 statistic test to analyze the data from our questionnaire survey. The findings show that the adoption of the RFID technology in Swedish Public libraries is in accordance with Rogers' theory of diffusion, and that the attributes which determined the rate of adoption of RFID were: relative advantage (RFID will cause perceived improvements for employees as well as for patrons), compatibility (RFID is consistent with needs), complexity (level of difficulty to use RFID), trialability (RFID may be tried and used), observability (the results of RFID is visible to others). The findings also show that RFID technology was adopted faster when they have financial resources, time and interest in RFID in general, if the library was located in regions with at least 25.000 inhabitants, and in public libraries with at least 10 employees. / Program: Bibliotekarie

Diss. Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2005.

Diss. Linköping : Univ.

Diss. Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2007.