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Purpose – The purpose of the study is to investigate the conditions required for digitization of production in manufacturing companies. To investigate this, the purpose has been divided into three research questions and the investigation has been carried out on a case company in Småland. The aim is to contribute theoretically and empirically to research and development towards industry 4.0, which in turn forms the basis for the work with focus on digitization. Method – The authors have used several methods to answer the research questions. The methods used are literature study and a case study. The case study means that empirical data has been collected on a case company using observations, interviews and a document study. Since the study is only performed on a case company, the external validity can be considered low, however, the authors have analysed and compared collected empirical data with the theoretical framework, which strengthens the external validity. Since several different methods have been used, a triangulation of data has been possible, which increases the credibility of the study. The study has consisted of an inductive approach where the analysis is based on the empirical data.   Findings – Based on theoretical framework, empirical data and the study's analysis, the authors have come up with a result that partially corresponds to the theory but differs in that individual processes can be digitized without all the theoretical requirements identified being fulfilled. This has resulted in a theoretical model that the authors have developed and named as the change model. The model describes three aspects that are interdependent to succeed with a change towards industry 4.0. The aspects are prerequisites, digitization and human resources, which are cyclically dependent on each other. Implications – The study's theoretical contribution is based on organizations' difficulties regarding how digitalization should be applied, where leaders in manufacturing companies are aware that digitization is an important success factor for developing companies, but only a small proportion have begun development. The model will help organizations and leaders understand which parts are important to consider when digitizing. The ArBe-model will help to develop an understanding of digital changes and is related to the empirical study. As the different aspects of the model are cyclically dependent on each other, organizations can choose to start a change in the aspect that is best suited for their organization. The model should be used as a tool to get started with digitization.   Limitations – The study is limited to studying possible digitalization in production and does not consider any economic aspects or choice of computer system. Only data from observations had been desirable, but the authors used a document study to be able to use production data from different periods during the year and produce a more generalizable result.

This thesis presents explorative studies aimed at contributing to more knowledge about relations between organizational factors such as aspects of leadership, learning, psychosocial working environment and quality, and relations between these factors and outcomes related to organizational and health performance, in small enterprises. The main focus is not on particular relations in isolation, but on a whole set of factors and the relations between these. The background of the studies is that several public authorities and researchers have discussed that a good working environment and work organization could be related to increased workplace health and organizational performance. However, only a few of all proposals have been transformed into actions, although small enterprises are seen to have difficulties to carry on development processes due to limited resources and knowledge of such processes. The presented studies and analysis are two-level, using both organizational level data for fifty-two enterprises and individual data for the leaders and co-workers (1090 individuals). The empirical findings give support for probable links between healthy work organizational factors and outcomes related to organizational and health performance. Other findings are that several organizational factors are inter-related, and that it is possible to find grouping of enterprises on two general dimensions. This may give support to those working with a concept-driven or holistic change strategy by integrating several aspects, in small enterprises. / Godkänd; 2003; 20070216 (ysko)

Roads and pavements covered with ice and snow during winter in the Nordic and other cold regions are slippery, which result in the prevalence of slip and fall accidents among not only the public, but also outdoor workers. Literature and injury statistics revealed that the most frequently specified contributory factor for occupational slip, trip and fall accidents in Sweden is snow and ice. Road accident research showed that the largest numbers of traffic casualties occurred during walking, followed by cycling and vehicle transporting. The cost to the community of providing medical treatment to victims of pedestrian injuries resulting from slipping is far greater than that of keeping walking surfaces free from ice and snow. However, in comparison with the size of the problem, little research has been carried out to identify and evaluate slip and fall risk on icy surfaces. Objectives are to present a systems perspective of slip and fall accident, to measure, evaluate and compare the coefficient of friction (COF) of footwear on ice and lubricated floor, to identify advantages of walking experience on icy surface and participating in winter sport in preventing slip and fall accidents, to develop subjective evaluation method for slipperiness measurement and usability assessment of footwear product, to systematically assess the integration of slip resistance, thermal insulation, and usability of footwear, to ascertain the anti-slip effect of materials spread on ice by user trials, and to explore the incorporated approach towards the design of footwear for use on icy surfaces. The following methods of collecting data were used in studies of this thesis: 1) direct observation, 2) videotaping, 3) human perception rating scale, 4) objective COF measurements, 5) retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological study by questionnaire. a systems model involving potential factors was proposed based on a comprehensive literature review (study I). Comparison of objective evaluation of footwear slipperiness on ice and oily floor was used to examine the frictional performance on different underfoot surfaces (study II). Epidemiological survey of slip and fall accidents was carried out focusing on individual experience, winter participation, severity of injuries, footwear, and underfoot surface conditions (study III). Subjective rating scale was developed and used to assess the perception of slip and fall risk and the usability of footwear used on various icy surfaces including anti slip materials spread on ice (study IV). The integration of multiple protection function and usability into winter footwear was also assessed (study IV). A systematic analysis of the slips and falls on icy and snowy surfaces showed that the etiology of slips and falls is multi-faceted. The COF on ice by objective measurements at 0ºC is much lower than that at -12ºC and that on stainless steel. Polyurethane soling material did not provide sufficient friction on wet ice at least when new (without abrasion), although superior on lubricated floors. The footwear tested including winter footwear, professional footwear, safety footwear, and footwear deemed to be slip resistant by users and manufacturers did not provide sufficient protection against slips and falls on wet ice at around 0ºC. Accordingly, slip and fall risk is higher on wet ice than on dry ice and lubricated floor. Slip and fall events reduced with increased living experience in cold environments and winter sport participation. Newcomers with no or less experience were prone to falling, and therefore they should be well informed of potential slip and fall hazards upon arrival in cold region. Slip resistance, thermal insulation and usability of footwear tested were not properly integrated. In addition to thermal insulation, prevention of slip and fall hazard by improving anti-slip property and usability must also be priorities for development of footwear for use in cold environments. Based on the findings, anti-slip footwear, measurement methods for slipperiness on ice and snow, related standards, the role of gait biomechanics and task-related factors should be further developed and studied. / Godkänd; 2001; 20070314 (ysko)

Godkänd; 1998; 20070404 (ysko)

All innovation begins with creative ideas. Thus, the quality of new products and services is dependent on the creative performance of individuals working alone or in groups. Deriving from research, it is assumed that creativity and information technology (IT) play important roles in service development. Given the increased importance of IT used as a means of communication in organizations, the present thesis aims to examine the effects information technology will have on creative performance. More specifically, the focus of the study was how the creative performance of small groups and individuals, operationalized in terms of process and product, was affected when provided IT tools for communicating ideas. The consensual assessment technique was employed along with independent judges to obtain objective measures. Additionally, participants subjective perceptions were also collected. Two experimental studies were conducted, both with IT as an independent variable. In Study I, the importance of internal beliefs, such as the perceived usefulness of IT, was also considered. Only with small effects detected. As for the IT variable, the possibility of interaction appeared as important, especially regarding the creative process. In study II, the effects of group versus individual creativity were also investigated. The results indicated that IT can decrease relevant creative abilities for both individuals and groups considering its quantitative aspects, with small groups having a better process, and to some extent, also product. Concerning the IT variable, the face-to-face group produced significantly more incubations and overall, also had a better flow in the creative process. Finally, of interest for validity, participants' self-reported perceptions of product and process showed agreement with objective measures. In conclusion, the results suggests that IT affects the creative process somewhat negatively, leaving the creative product more or less unaffected. / Godkänd; 2001; 20070316 (ysko)

The overall goal the research upon which this thesis is based concerns the development of personal security coding that is superior to today's systems that use digit-based codes. In exploring alternate coding strategies, emphasis has been on identification of methods/systems that are more user-friendly. Within populations such as the elderly and disabled, there are groups that experience considerable difficulty when using today's personal identification systems. Speed of movement and rapidity of recall are some of the challenges faced by these two groups that the line of research reported in the thesis seeks to address. Four studies and a narrative summary are contained in the thesis. The four studies report on the following: Study I. The aim of the study was to gather empirical data on the use of code focusing among disabled persons. It was conducted during the exploratory phase of a larger research program dealing with security and memory aspects on codes used in different contexts. Study II. The study purpose is to compare how well people remember two types of codes: picture codes and number codes. Study III. The main objective of this study was to test whether the residential experience in an other-race country effects face recognition performance. Study IV. In this paper the processes of usability evaluation of codes that are based on portraits of human faces is described. / Godkänd; 2001; 20070314 (ysko)

Godkänd; 1997; 20070418 (ysko)

<p>Godkänd; 1994; 20080401 (ysko)</p>

<p>Godkänd; 1996; 20080328 (ysko)</p>