The main objectives of the thesis are to learn about the detection of a hypothetical marine cloud brightening (MCB) field experiment and to assess the benefits and risks of an actual implementation using model simulations. The first aim of the thesis is to assess the detectability of MCB from the natural variability of clouds using satellite data. The analysis uses two approaches, i) an analytical method, assessing the radiative forcing by aerosol-cloud interactions for an idealised perturbation of the droplet concentration and ii) a stochastic method, including the radiative forcing and the cloud adjustment effects of perturbing the cloud droplet number concentration. One of the main findings of the study is that in the analytical method, detection of an MCB experiment in the North Pacific region requires longer duration, larger domain and larger intensity of the Nd perturbation than in the South Pacific and the South Atlantic regions. In the Stochastic method, larger domain size as well as longer duration are required for the detection of the hypothetical field experiments compared to the analytical method. We found that increasing the duration of the experiment and intensity of Nd perturbation has more influence in detectability than increasing the domain size. Secondly, we analyse the detection of MCB using ECHAM GCM simulations. Two methods are used for the analysis, i) a temporal method, using temporal reference of nine years for the analysis, and ii) a spatial method, where a surrounding unperturbed regions are used as a reference for the analysis. In the temporal method, the detectability of the MCB experiment over the North Pacific region is most difficult. Our calculations suggest that for an experiment to be cost effective, it is preferable to design an experiment of longer duration with smaller domain sizes as well as less intensity of perturbation of Nd. Finally, we investigate the effectiveness of MCB in alleviating the changes in the mean and extremes for surface air temperature and precipitation. We compare these results with another climate engineering technique, namely stratospheric aerosol injection. The study is based on an existing multi model simulation of three Earth system models. The main conclusion from the study is that the two solar radiation management techniques are rather effective in mitigating the climate change driven increases in the mean and extremes of temperature and precipitation according to the climate simulations. However, the potential to mitigate differs around the globe and seasonally. The strong increases in lower temperature extremes, especially in the Arctic, are not well dampened with the solar radiation management implementation.

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Since Sweden’s home market is relatively small, companies are forced to engage in international business. Researchers have stressed that companies with a small home market should find new markets to gain benefits which companies with large home markets possess. The Chinese market has great potential, which results in numerous Swedish companies entering and establish business operations in China. Swedish companies need to address the unique aspects of conducting business in China. One of the unique aspects which has been notably concerned is the phenomena of guanxi. Guanxi is well grounded in the Chinese business culture and can be perceived as relationship building. Previous research has shown upon limited research regarding B2B guanxi in the Chinese-Western business relationships. Hence, the purpose of this thesis, is to provide a deeper understanding of how Swedish companies build and manage B2B guanxi in China and explore its potential risks and benefits. To achieve the purpose of this thesis, three main concepts have been identified- building stages of guanxi, management strategies of guanxi and risks and benefits of guanxi. These create the theoretical approach of the study. By using a qualitative research method and a deductive approach, a deeper understanding regarding guanxi in relation to Swedish companies can be acquired. The data is collected from five companies in different industries, conducting business on the Chinse market. Practical and theoretical implications have arisen from this study, contributing to the theoretical synthesis of B2B guanxi and provided valuable insights on how Swedish companies can use B2B guanxi. Based on the analysis, the outcome of this study suggest guanxi is not a prerequisite for conducting business on the Chinese market. Although, it can be seen as a tool to ease relationship building and business operations. The empirical findings indicate the relevance of B2B guanxi and have identified new factors. The key findings imply Swedish companies use intermediaries to a larger extent in the building staged and as a management strategy. While gift-giving and favour exchange are less used management strategies. Smoother business operations are perceived as an additional benefit. Whereas relationships becoming too personal and a person taking the relationships with them when leaving the company are additional risks ought to be considered new findings. The study can be valuable for Swedish companies that wish to enter or have entered the Chinese market.

As society progresses towards a more algorithmic era, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a revolution in the digital landscape. At its core, AI applications aim to engage customers by providing carefully tailored and data-driven personalization and customization of products, services, and marketing mix elements. However, the adoption of AI, while promising enhanced personalization, poses challenges due to the increased collection, analysis, and control of consumer data by technology owners. Consequently, concerns over data privacy have emerged as a primary consideration for individuals. This paper delves deeper into the implications of the personalization- privacy paradox, aiming to provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities it presents. The purpose of this thesis is to understand users’ privacy concerns and willingness to disclose their personal information to AI technologies by addressing the limitations of previous research and utilizing qualitative methods to gain a more in-depth understanding of consumer views. To understand users’ privacy concerns and willingness to disclose personal information to AI technologies, a qualitative approach was followed. Combining a deductive and inductive approach to fulfill the purpose of the study, empirical data was collected through 20 semi- structured interviews. The participants were chosen using a purposive sampling technique. Users’ privacy concerns and willingness to disclose personal information to AI technologies differ significantly. It depends not only on the individual, but also on the type of AI technology, the company providing the AI technology, the possibility of obtaining additional benefits, and whether the company is transparent about its data collection and can provide proof of security.

Для принятия решения о внедрении нового программного продукта в коммерческой организации необходимо опираться на понятные критерии. Поэтому является актуальным обобщение методических подходов к оценке эффективности внедрения программных продуктов в коммерческих организациях. Цель магистерской диссертации заключается в совершенствовании системы оценки эффективности внедрения программных продуктов. Для достижения цели поставлены следующие задачи: изучение теоретико-методических основ оценки экономической эффективности внедрения программных продуктов; исследование методических подходов к оценке эффективности внедрения программных продуктов; разработка путей совершенствования оценки экономической эффективности внедрения программных продуктов. Научная новизна исследования заключается в разработке универсального алгоритма выбора программного продукта для внедрения в коммерческих организациях, который основан на усовершенствованной оценке эффективности внедрения, включающий в себя как экономические показатели эффективности, так и оценку выгод и рисков от внедрения программного продукта и позволяющий выбрать программный продукт для организаций с наилучшими показателями. Практическая значимость исследования заключается в возможности использования предложенного инструментария в процессе принятия решения о внедрении программных продуктов на предприятии, что, в свою очередь, создает предпосылки для увеличения суммы прибыли и повышения эффективности деятельности организаций. / To decide on the introduction of a new software in a commercial organization, it is necessary to rely on clear criteria. Therefore, it is relevant to generalize methodological approaches to assessing the effectiveness of the implementation of software in commercial organizations. The purpose of the master's thesis is to improve the system for evaluating the effectiveness of the implementation of software. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were set: the study of theoretical and methodological foundations for assessing the economic efficiency of the implementation of software; study of methodological approaches to assessing the effectiveness of the implementation of software; development of ways to improve the assessment of the economic efficiency of the implementation of software. The scientific novelty of the study is to develop a universal algorithm for choosing a software for implementation in commercial organizations, which is based on an improved assessment of the effectiveness of implementation, which includes both economic performance indicators and an assessment of the benefits and risks of introducing a software and allowing you to choose a software for organizations with the best performance. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the proposed tools in the decision-making process on the implementation of software in the enterprise, which, in turn, creates the prerequisites for increasing the amount of profit and increasing the efficiency of organizations.

This diploma thesis deals with the impact of withdrawal from the European Union on the Czech Republic and for this purpose is divided into three separate chapters. The first part deals with the general characteristics of European Union membership, especially the review of the status of the Czech Republic compared to the other member states, as well as the summary of the benefits and risks associated with membership in the EU. The second chapter of this thesis examines the legislative option of withdrawal from the Union and considers possible alternatives to EU membership. In the last chapter, lessons learned are taken into account and the evaluation of economic impacts of withdrawal from the European Union on the Czech Republic is based on them.