A major shift in our society is the one from a goods-dominant logic to a service-dominant one. Ownership becomes less important, while services from the area of sharing economy experience a rising demand. Municipalities and private companies are adapting and different shared mobility systems are emerging from their pursuit of new forms of mobility. In 2019, Augsburg created a shared mobility system where public transport, carsharing and bikesharing are all provided via one subscription. As this form of subscription does not have many customers yet, this thesis aims to first identify the system and research which reason and components motivate the people in Augsburg to use the system, as well as collecting different ideas for improvement. An expert interview was conducted with someone from the operator side and then customer interviews were held to get an insight from the customers’ point of view. This data was analyzed using tools from the area of information system as well as information architecture and the system was mapped out and discussed. The system was mapped out around the user and the connections were shown, which indicated that the user wants simplicity and clarity, as too many platforms and ways to book a mobility service was stated negatively.

Background: The agro-food sector faces several sustainability challenges and is in clear need of transitions to become more sustainable. A transition in food production, consumption and supply chains that demand fewer resources and fewer animal products is required to attain sustainability in the agro-food sector. This transition can be done by consuming more plant-based food and providing an alternate option to animal protein by substituting it with plant protein. Purpose: This study aims to understand the technological innovation system shaping around the value chain of Swedish legumes. To investigate the above aim, this research intends to address the following questions: RQ1: How is the innovation system built up, and how do the functions of the innovation system perform around the value chain of Swedish legumes? RQ2: What are the barriers connected to the innovation system that hinders the development of the value chain of Swedish legumes? Method: The methodology used was a qualitative case study with an abductive approach. The data was collected from 8 semi-structured interviews and a literature review of relevant articles. The empirical findings were then analysed using a framework based on Technology Innovation System (TIS). Implications: This research study describes the structural causes that form functional barriers in the innovation system that hinders the development of a value chain for Swedish legumes. The findings of this study provides an excellent opportunity for government agencies and policymakers to guide plans and actions through policies to provide incentives for farmers and research projects in favour of a sustainable transition towards more plant-based food. Also, our study contributes to an understanding of sustainability transitions in the Swedish agro-food sector by analysing how the TIS functions perform around the value chain of Swedish legumes.

Journalistiken har de senaste åren utmanats av digitaliseringen samt samhällsförändringar och industrin går mot en negativ trend. Detta är en fallstudie som undersöker vilka villkor och förutsättningar digitaliseringen ställer på rollen som journalist för att försöka ge ökad förståelse om hur tekniken formar framtidens journalister. Undersökningen utfördes genom kvalitativa intervjuer av journalister och redaktörer inom branschen. Teori hämtades främst från relevant litteratur inom informatik och medieteknik, vilket blev fallstudiens ryggrad. Resultatet av denna studie visar på att digitaliseringen främst ställer krav på multikompetens och flexibilitet för rollen som journalist. Digitaliseringen snarare utmanar organisationens företagskultur och journalistens personliga värderingar och ideal än omformatering av rollen. Studien pekar på att socioteknisk determinism är det som avgör framtiden för rollen som journalist och journalistiken som helhet. Således ges förslag till vidare forskning om hur samhället kan använda sig av digitaliseringen för att enklare hantera vad studien kallar “Generationscykeln”. / Journalism has in recent years been challenged by digitalisation and societal changes and the industry is moving towards a negative trend. This is a case study that examines the terms and conditions digitalisation applies to the role of journalists in order to try to gain a better understanding of how technology shapes the journalists of the future. The survey was conducted through qualitative interviews of journalists and editors in the industry. The theory was mainly derived from relevant literature in informatics and media technology, which became the backbone of the case study. The results of this study shows that digitalisation primarily sets demands on multicompetence and flexibility on the role of a journalist. Digitization challenges the organization's corporate culture and the journalist's personal values ​​and ideals rather than reformatting the role. The study points out that sociotechnical determinism is what determines the future of the role of journalist and journalism as a whole. Thus, suggestions are made for further research on how society can use digitalization to more easily manage what the study calls the "Generation Cycle”.

Urbanization has been a growing trend in the past fifty years. Cities are now transforming into smart cities, spaces whose infrastructure comprises an embedded digital layer. Hardware collects real-time data in the urban environment and software elaborates it to improve all types of services, from traffic to waste management to well-being. One technology that is expected to use this digital layer to further change the urban environment is the autonomous car. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore what key design attributes future autonomous cars should possess if they have not only to co-exist with and be accepted by people in the landscape of tomorrow’s smart cities, but also what they should not possess in order not to cause any harm. In this sense, the dissertation recognizes calm technology to be necessary in the design of a future autonomous car to support a human-centered, as opposed to a car- or technology-centered, environment. A socio-technical and systemic lens is applied to the phenomenological investigation of nine companies carried out by means of twelve in-depth semi-structured interviews with experts working within the automotive sector, the smart city industry, and calm technology. Eight attributes (safety, on-demand, geo-tracking, sharing, multiple purposes, communication through smart devices, electrical care and IoT/connectedness) are identified as necessary for future autonomous cars to implement in order to take advantage of the smart city infrastructure and provide a human-centered experience. Additionally, six out of the eight calm technology principles recognized in literature are considered necessary when designing future autonomous cars.

Despite more than a decade-long process to transition aircraft maintenance practices from paper-to electronic-based systems, some organizations remain unable to complete this transition. Researchers have indicated that while organizations have invested resources in technology improvements, there remains a limited understanding of the factors that contribute to effectively managing technology-enabled change. The purpose of this case study was to identify and explore socio-technical (ST) factors that inhibit an effective transition from a paper-based system to an electronic-based system for aircraft maintenance. A conceptual model applying theories of change management, technology acceptance, systems thinking, and ST theory informed the research. Thirteen participants provided data via semistructured interviews, field observations, follow-up interviews, other documentation, and a questionnaire. Data were analyzed with open and axial coding techniques to identify themes, which were then crosschecked and triangulated with observation and follow-up interview data. Findings revealed communication issues, a fundamental misconception in training, and a false assumption that all personnel easily acquire computer literacy. Benefits gained from this study should assist maintenance, repair, and overall (MRO) organizations within the Department of Defense to improve current and future technology implementation as the research underscores real-life issues from a comparable organization. The implications for positive social change provide a greater understanding of technology-enabled change and contribute to the development of best practices for technology initiatives that address common ST issues in the MRO workplace.

The implementation of E-health innovations varies between countries. An E-health innovation that has had a big impact on healthcare is the electronic patient medical record. Electronic patient medical records contribute to better communication between caregivers and to a better operation by providing caregivers the right information at the right time. The European Commission writes that digital solutions in healthcare can improve the overall health for European citizens. E-health innovations and the access to Electronic Patient Medical Records differs in Europe. While some countries have fully developed Electronic Patient Medical Records, some have not even started. Bosnia & Herzegovina is striving for EU-membership and is yet under implementation of Electronic patient medical records. The aim of this study is to improve the understanding of what socio-technical challenges and opportunities Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing when implementing electronic patient medical records. The method used to answer the research question is a qualitative method using a purposeful sampling by interviewing healthcare professionals in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Six semi-structured interviews were carried out with the help of a translator. The data was analyzed using an inductive content analysis enabling to distinguish challenges and possibilities with the implementation of electronic patient medical records at the hospital in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The result of the study indicates that Bosnia & Herzegovina are facing challenges such as lack of IT-skills, troubles with accessing the electronic patient medical records during power outs or system crashes and the system not fully supporting the way the doctors want to document. The opportunities listed are a better ability to provide patients with quality care, a greater access to information and the possibility to further implement E-health innovations.

This licentiate thesis describes and analyses the modern history of the socio-technical systems for urban water supply and sanitation in East Africa with focus on Uganda and Kenya. The key objective of the thesis is to evaluate to what extent the historic processes frame and influence the water and sanitation services sectors in these countries today. The theoretical approach combines the Large Technical Systems approach from the discipline of History of Technology with New Institutional Economics. Throughout, urban water and sanitation service systems are regarded as socio-technical systems, where institutions, organisation and technology all interact. The thesis consists of three separate articles and a synthesis in the form of a framework narrative. The first article provides a discussion of the theoretical framework with special focus on the application of Public Goods theory to urban water and sanitation. The second article describes the establishment of the large-scale systems for water supply and sanitation in Kampala, Uganda in the period 1920-1950. The third article focuses on the politics of urban water supply in Kenya with emphasis on the period 1900-1990. The main findings in this thesis are that the socio-technical systems for urban water and sanitation evolve over long periods of time and are associated with inertia that makes these systems change slowly. The systems were established in the colonial period to mainly respond to the needs and preferences of a wealthy minority and a technological paradigm evolved based on capital-intensive and large-scale technology. Attempts to expand services to all citizens in the post-colonial period under this paradigm were not sustainable due to changes in the social, political and economic environment while incentives for technological change were largely absent. History thus frames decisions in the public sphere even today, through technological and institutional inertia. Knowing the history of these socio-technical systems is therefore important, in order to understand key sector constraints, and for developing more sustainable service provision. / <p>QC 20101122</p>

The construction industry is vital in meeting humanity's infrastructure and essential building needs. However, its current practices contribute significantly to environmental challenges such as global warming, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. The current study points out the need for a more sustainable approach in the construction sector. The reason this study focuses on RFID-tags is both because of the academic gap regarding implementation of new standardizations and the project Lumi that this study has as its case study of the thesis.    The goal of this thesis is to analyze the Swedish construction industry’s attitude toward the implementation of RFID-tags as a standardization and fill the academic gap that has been identified in the literature review. The goal is to determine the attitude of each stakeholder type within the industry through the lens of socio-technical transition theory, to determine specific barriers and drivers for the concept. Furthermore, the aim is to determine if RFID-tags can be implemented to promote circularity and enhance sustainable development.   The research methods incorporate a literature review and a case study with semi-structured interviews conducted with eight participants. The sample consisted of actors within the construction industry, such as customers, distribution companies, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, service companies, and workers.  The thesis identified the conservative nature of the industry as an obstacle, along with the fear of failure within the construction industry. The attitude towards the standardization of RFID-tags is positive, where beneficial factors were identified, such as saving time, reducing environmental impact, and improving the structure for recycling.

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This research took its point of departure in the aspiration of large-scale change of the construction industry, where existing industry structures has been frequently criticized. To facilitate innovation and change in the Swedish construction industry, a strategic innovation program has been established based on the idea that research, innovation, and development should manifest itself through the mobilization of collaborative and actor-driven networks. Using a strategic innovation program to support inter-organizational collaboration and actor-driven change is a fairly new phenomenon in the context of construction and thus the subject of inquiry for this research. From a theoretical point of view, this can be understood in terms of a transition of a socio-technical system. Therefore, the purpose was to gain a deeper understanding of how a socio-technical transition of the construction industry could be facilitated. The research presented in this licentiate thesis has been conducted between September 2019 – March 2022 and has been a part of a research project called Program Generic Measurement Methods. This research has a qualitative inquiry and has been designed as a longitudinal case study to understand, and follow, this process of change. The data that has been collected consist of document collection, structured interviews, semi-structured interviews and an autoethnographic approach including observations and self-reflection. Actor-network theory, and specifically the concepts related to the translation process and black boxing, has been used as an analytical framework and facilitated the analysis of the collected data. This thesis increases the understanding of how a socio-technical transition in construction could be facilitated by analyzing the events that lead to the development of the strategic innovation program as well as events from the operational part of the program. Key actors in these processes are identified as well as their roles in a transition of the construction industry. The results indicates that this is far from a linear process that contains a lot of negotiation between participating actors. During this process, the role of digitalization changes when the intention of the program moves from its initiators to the actors engaged in different technological niches. A better integration of academia is asked for due to the complexity that digitally driven transition processes brings. Moreover, actors in the construction industry are encouragedto engage in technological niches to interact and collaborate in new, or modified, ways outside traditional construction activities since it stimulates learning and facilitate a deeper understanding of the challenges that actors in the construction process face together.