Place branding has in previous research been studied mostly from the perspective of an individual stakeholder, for example the tourism sector or the state authority. Furthermore, there is a limited amount of prior studies concerning the potential effect infrastructure improvements have on place branding. This thesis aims to address these research gaps and make a theoretical contribution to research on place branding. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a deeper understanding about how different stakeholders perceive the place brand identity of Nyköping as well as how they collaborate within the place branding process. This understanding will be viewed in the context of future improvements of infrastructure, more specifically the construction of Ostlänken. The findings of this thesis are based upon a theoretical framework consisting of four foundations, place branding and its conceptualisations, place brand identity, multiple stakeholders, and place brand management and infrastructure. The theoretical framework includes general theories as well as more elaborate models specific to research on place branding. In order to fulfil the purpose of this thesis, organisations belonging to different stakeholder groups with interests within a specific place have been interviewed. By adopting an inductive approach of the study, the interviews have been held using a semi-structured interview technique with the intention to gain elaborated data. A thematic network analysis has been applied for analysing the collected data.  The data have been coded resulting in four global themes: place brand identity, multiple stakeholders, infrastructure and place brand management. By applying these themes to the empirical data and previous research, the findings of the study have been developed.

Identifying the best project alternative is a critical challenge facing major transportation projects (MTPs) at the front-end phase. The increasing complexity and dynamism of MTPs have imposed substantial uncertainties and subjectivities in the decision-making process. Despite the efforts made in previous studies, a stochastic framework to facilitate the comprehensive assessment is still missing. In this research, a stochastic decision support framework has been developed to cope with the considerable uncertainties in MTPs. The features of the proposed decision support framework are achieved by using the Bayesian belief network modeling technique to provide a comprehensive registry of the relevant decision factors, establish the interrelationships between these decision factors, and consequently quantify uncertainties of decision indicators. The calculated probabilities for decision indicators have been interpreted to a satisfaction level of stakeholders based on their constraints as a multi-criteria decision model. A Monte Carlo simulation has been conducted to simulate a real condition using the decision indicators probability as input. Finally, MTP alternatives prioritized according to the anticipated satisfactory gained among various stakeholders. The created framework is used in a preliminary alternative assessment for case study related to Detroit River International Crossing project. The case study investigates the decision-making of key stakeholders related to prioritization of alternative projects for a new access between Detroit, US and Winsdor, Canada. The project team verified applicability of the model. The developed framework and the case study highlight the significance of identification of a stochastic project alternative assessment method. The proposed framework provides decision-makers with a decision support tool to facilitate front-end phase of MTPs.

Background: Medical school curricula are constantly evolving and change has potential positive and negative effects. At East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, a broader understanding of the effects of a curriculum change (reduction in clerkship length for one transitional year) was explored. Methods: A broad, system-wide evaluation was used to evaluate impacts on all stakeholders. Curriculum management data, including qualitative and quantitative data and short-term and follow-up perspectives of stakeholders, were used for evaluation. Results: Students evaluated the change positively. Academic performance in the transitional year was similar to the prior year. Differences in students’ clerkship evaluations were not statistically significant. Clerkship directors were concerned that students’ clinical experience suffered and noted that implementing changes was time consuming but recognized the benefits for students. Administrators dedicated a significant amount of time to planning the transitional year; however, the additional weeks at the beginning of fourth year made the scheduling process easier. Conclusion: This article demonstrates an overall positive result with this tool for curriculum change but also indicates the impacts differed across stakeholders. Knowledge gained from this experience can help other schools successfully anticipate challenges and prepare for a variety of outcomes in implementing necessary curriculum change.

With the increasing population and development of cities, addressing urban transportation is predicted to become a greater challenge. Cycling presents the opportunity to address urban mobility demands without the same degree of environmental, economic and social costs associated with conventional motorized transportation. The intent of this paper is to identify the commonalities and differences between cycling organisations, and what some examples of actions that take advantage of opportunities between these organisations could be. Backcasting from scientifically derived sustainability principles within the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development was used to validate our research topic. Qualitative research proceeded in four phases. Methods included: literature reviews, field visit, interviews, five-level and SWOT analyses, brainstorming and prioritisation. Research found communication and knowledge transfer within and between cycling organisations could be improved, but doing so requires leadership and resources that are usually lacking. Research also found that there is a desire to present cycling in an inspiring way, but there is a lack of expertise in doing so despite the current unprecedented increase in interest, initiatives and resource allocation related to cycling. As cycling gains more support, it will likely encourage a progressive shift throughout the entire transportation sector toward more sustainable development. This ultimately can play a significant role in moving toward a sustainable society. / <p>Please contact the authors by email.</p>

Much academic research has studied the factors that increase adoption of online government services. However, the study areas have generally been relatively simple transactional environments focussed on specific consumer roles, and where "the computer can decide". However, this is not representative of all government services: many off-line services involve multiple government organisations or departments. Some services are used by a large range of different stakeholders who have different expectations and experiences of the administrative process concerned. Some require non-numeric elements to process the transaction. Some even involve humans to make a decision. All of these factors increase the complexity of supporting such services online and there is little literature either in the areas of stakeholder theory or technology adoption that examines how such services can be successfully deployed. This research addresses this void in the literature through an exploratory case study of the online planning application service in the UK as provided by the Planning Portal. A mixed methodology, both multi-phase and emergent, has been used to gather and analyse both qualitative and quantitative data to investigate how a single online service can successfully support a wide range of different stakeholders, what factors impact on uptake amongst those diverse stakeholder groups and how the service manages its relationships with stakeholders to ensure all are supported by the service. The pivotal complexities added by visual elements in the planning application and determination process, and by the central-local government interaction that is integral to the online planning service, are explored. The findings suggest that such a complex service can be very successful, but there are barriers outside the service provider's control that may ultimately affect the full provision of an end-to-end online service. Quantitative findings also suggest that there are factors other than those in the current models of technology adoption that may affect a more subjective and visually dependent service. This novel study of a distinctively complex and visual service provides insights that will be, and have already been, of use to real-world practitioners in supporting and developing complex online services.

Problem: Despite much attention from researchers and practitioners, the reason(s) for why M&amp;A’s tend to fail remain a topic of investigation. Within this investigation there is reason to believe this problem is connected to not prioritizing communicating with multiple stakeholders a during post-M&amp;A integration. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the specific context of communicating with multiple stakeholders during post-M&amp;A integration. Method: A qualitative, abductive and exploratory study with semi-structured interviews providing primary data from stakeholders (respondents) with different experiences of communicating during in post-M&amp;A integration. Results: The results of this study contribute with new insights within the scope of communicating with multiple stakeholders during post-M&amp;A integration. These insights are analyzed and collected in a revised conceptual framework along with reflecting on theory and discussing practical implications. Recommendations for future studies are offered along with discussing the limitations of this study. / Problem: Trots mycket uppmärksamhet från forskare och praktiker så undersökts det fortfarande varför M&amp;A brukar misslyckas. Inom denna undersökning finns det anledning att tro att problemet är kopplat till att inte priortiera kommunikation med flera intressenter under post-M&amp;A integration. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka den specifika kontexten att kommunicera med flera intressenter under post-M&amp;A integration. Metod: En kvalitativ, abduktiv och exploratoriv studie med semi-strukturerade intervjuer som bidrar med primärdata från intressenter (respondenter) med olika erfarenheter av kommunikation under post-M&amp;A integration. Resultat: Studiens resultat bidrar med nya insikter inom ramen för att kommunicera med flera intressenter under post-M&amp;A integration. Dessa insikter har analyserats och samlats i ett reviderat konceptuelt ramverk tillsammas med en reflektion över teory samt en disksussion av studiens praktiska implikationer. Rekomendationer fram framtida studier presenteras samt så diskuteras studiens begränsningar.

Today, sustainability has become a central part of every recent global agenda. As the world is establishing a more sustainable path, professional service firms have started setting up new targets and goals to meet the changing demands and regulations of governments, societies, and investors. In an initiative to create sustainable long-term value for multiple stakeholders, professional service firms are investigating alternative approaches to value creation and competitiveness in a previously unknown market. This has proven to be challenging as value today is often measured in short-term sales and income and long-term value is often overlooked in the business model and the project selection processes.  The aim of the study was to identify and evaluate the challenges professional service firms face when incorporating sustainable value creation into their business model and also to suggest actions to create competitiveness in a previously unexplored market of sustainable value creation. An abductive case study was performed on a large professional service firm. The data collection consisted of 10 semi-structured interviews with company representatives of different ranks. Additionally, a survey with 30 respondents from the case company was carried out. The study concludes that challenges related to sustainable value creation include; incorporating clear measurement and reporting systems in terms of the triple bottom line, transforming Value Uncaptured to Value Captured, lowering the perceived risk of sustainability incorporation, and convincing the right people to make the right decisions. Moreover, the study elicits a framework for sustainable value creation that professional service firms can use as a tool to incorporate sustainability into the business model.  In order to create competitiveness in the new market of sustainable value creation, professional service firms could incorporate sustainable value creation, through the assessment of tangible and intangible assets in all business cases and offerings, and thereby work proactively to meet future demands. This will create competitiveness through a first mover advantage. / På senare tid har hållbarhet blivit en central del av varje global agenda. I samband med att världen lägger mer fokus på hållbarhet har professionella tjänsteföretag börjat sätta upp nya mål för att bemöta de förändrade kraven och reglerna från beslutsfattare i samhället och investerare. I ett initiativ för att skapa hållbart långsiktigt värde för flera intressenter undersöker professionella tjänsteföretag alternativa tillvägagångssätt för att skapa värde och förbli konkurrenskraftiga i den outforskade marknaden. Detta har visat sig vara utmanande då värde idag ofta mäts i kortsiktig försäljning och inkomst och långsiktigt värde ofta förbises i affärsmodellen och projekturval processerna. Syftet med studien var att identifiera och utvärdera de utmaningar som professionella tjänsteföretag står inför när de införlivar hållbart värdeskapande i sin affärsmodell och även att föreslå åtgärder för att skapa konkurrenskraft på en tidigare outforskad marknad för hållbart värdeskapande. En abduktiv fallstudie utfördes på ett stort professionellt serviceföretag. Datainsamlingen bestod av 10 semistrukturerade intervjuer med företagsrepresentanter av olika rang. Dessutom genomfördes en undersökning med 30 respondenter från fallstudieföretaget. Studien drar slutsatsen att utmaningar relaterade till hållbart värdeskapande inkluderar; introduktionen av tydliga “triple bottom line”-baserade mät- och rapporteringssystem, omvandling av “Value uncaptured” till “Value captured”, reducering av den upplevda risken för hållbarhets inkorporering samt att övertyga rätt personer att fatta rätt beslut. Vidare, summeras studien i ett ramverk för hållbart värdeskapande som professionella tjänsteföretag kan använda som ett verktyg för att uppnå hållbarhet i affärsmodellen. För att skapa konkurrensfördelar på den nya marknaden för hållbart värdeskapande kan professionella serviceföretag inkorporera hållbart värdeskapande, genom bedömningen av materiella och immateriella tillgångar i alla affärsfall och erbjudanden, och därigenom arbeta proaktivt för att möta framtida krav. Detta skulle kunna skapa konkurrenskraft genom en ”först till marknad” fördel.

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