Previous studies have shown that provision of sustainable electricity supply to rural households is essential to bring development to off-grid populations. For this reason, most developing countries put large efforts into rural electrification programs to stimulate development and reduce poverty. However, to be sustainable these programs need to recover costs, which poses a challenge to remote low income populations.  This often forces governments and other institutions involved in rural electrification to subsidize the electricity production. It also affects the choice of technology and places a barrier on the level of energy provided in line with the ability to pay for services. As a result of this, most programs have failed to achieve the desired objectives, as the technologies used often do not support income generating activities that could increase the payment capabilities of the beneficiaries and contribute to development. This thesis is focused on the rural electrification program of South Africa, the country in sub-Saharan Africa that has the highest access to electricity. It investigates the success elements that influence the sustainability of rural electrification programs and their contributions to socio-economic development. This was achieved by evaluating the South African program that provides solar home systems to off-grid communities, and a hybrid solar-wind mini-grid project in South Africa. The study also draw lessons from other rural electrification programs in neighbouring countries, i.e. an evaluation of a hybrid solar-diesel mini-grid system in Namibia, and a review of two systems, a hybrid solar-biomass mini-grid project in Botswana and a hydro mini-grid program in Lesotho. The study revealed that hydro based hybrid mini-grid systems provide the most cost effective way of bringing energy services to rural settlements. Regardless of technology, successful programs depend on adequate support from the government, implementation of a progressive tariff system that allows the high consuming high income earners and businesses, to cross subsidize the low consuming , low income users. It shows that it is more likely for rural electrification programs to survive if the design considers the existing businesses, population growth and the corresponding load increase. The thesis further shows that provision of sufficient energy to induce income generating activities is essential to decrease the need for subsidies and to ensure the sustainability of programs. In addition, availability of spare parts and a capable management team is essential for the successful operations and maintenance of these systems.

The retail sector is experiencing transforming changes driven by service robots (SR). While SR promise benefits such as improved inventory management, increased efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction, their integration presents technical and societal challenges. Technical hurdles encompass image classification under varying conditions, data security, localization, and obstacle detection. On the societal front, concerns revolve around public perception, safety, and employee apprehension regarding job security. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of these challenges and opportunities, highlighting that while SR have considerable potential, their optimal utilization in retail may be best suited for non-human facing tasks, given the current limitations of AI in human interactions.

Recent technological, social, and economic trends and transformations are contributing to the production of what is usually referred to as Big Data. Big Data, which is typically defined by four dimensions -- Volume, Velocity, Veracity, and Variety -- changes the methods and tactics for using, analyzing, and interpreting data, requiring new approaches for data provenance, data processing, data analysis and modeling, and knowledge representation. The use and analysis of Big Data involves several distinct stages from "data acquisition and recording" over "information extraction" and "data integration" to "data modeling and analysis" and "interpretation", each of which introduces challenges that need to be addressed. There also are cross-cutting challenges, which are common challenges that underlie many, sometimes all, of the stages of the data analysis pipeline. These relate to "heterogeneity", "uncertainty", "scale", "timeliness", "privacy" and "human interaction". Using the Big Data analysis pipeline as a guiding framework, this paper examines the challenges arising in the use of Big Data in regional science. The paper concludes with some suggestions for future activities to realize the possibilities and potential for Big Data in regional science. / Series: Working Papers in Regional Science

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Artificiell intelligence (AI) har blivit vanligare att använda för att stödja människor i deras beslutsfattande. Maskininlärning (ML) är ett delområde inom AI som har börjat användas mer inom hälso-och sjukvården. Patientdata ökar inom vården och ett AI-system kan behandla denna ökade datamängd, vilket vidare kan utveckla ett beslutsstöd som hjälper läkarna. AI-tekniken blir vanligare att använda inom radiologin och specifikt inom mammografin som ett beslutsstöd. Användning av AI-teknik inom mammografin medför fördelar men det finns även utmaningar som inte har något med tekniken att göra.Icke-tekniska utmaningar är viktiga att se över för att generera en lyckad praxis. Studiens syfte var därför att undersöka icke-tekniska utmaningar vid användning av AI som ett beslutsstöd inom mammografi ur ett radiologiskt perspektiv. Radiologer med erfarenhet av mammografi intervjuades i syfte att öka kunskapen kring deras syn på användningen.Resultatet från studien identifierade och utvecklade de icke-tekniska utmaningarna utifrån temana: ansvar, mänskliga förmågor, acceptans, utbildning/kunskap och samarbete. Resultatet indikerade även på att inom dessa teman finns icke-tekniska utmaningar med tillhörande aspekter som är mer framträdande än andra. Studien ökar kunskaperna kring radiologers syn på användningen och bidrar till framtida forskning för samtliga berörda aktörer. Forskning kan ta hänsyn till dessa icke-tekniska utmaningar redan innan tekniken är implementerad i syfte att minska risken för komplikationer. / Artificial intelligence (AI) has become more commonly used to support people when making decisions. Machine learning (ML) is a sub-area of AI that has become more frequently used in health care. Patient data is increasing in healthcare and an AI system can help to process this increased amount of data, which further can develop a decision support that can help doctors. AI technology is becoming more common to use in radiology and specifically in mammography, as a decision support. The usage of AI technology in mammography has many benefits, but there are also challenges that are not connected to technology.Non-technical challenges are important to consider and review in order to generate a successful practice. The purpose of this thesis is therefore to review non-technical challenges when using AI as a decision support in mammography from a radiological perspective. Radiologists with experience in mammography were interviewed in order to increase knowledge about their views on the usage.The results identified and developed the non-technical challenges based on themes: responsibility, human abilities, acceptance, education/knowledge and collaboration. The study also found indications within these themes that there are non-technical challenges with associated aspects that are more prominent than others. This study emphasizes and increases the knowledge of radiologists views on the usage of AI and contributes to future research for all the actors involved. Future research can address these non-technical challenges even before the technology is implemented to reduce the risk of complications.

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate how the challenges of Internet of Things that manufacturers can influence can be overcome. Theoretical foundation - This study conducted an extensive literature review to identify and understand the challenges to Internet of Things and actions to overcome them. 11 technical challenges, 13 organisational and 6 resource availability challenges were identified. 4 actions were identified. Method - To fulfil the purpose, an embedded multiple case study at a global Aerospace manufacturer was conducted. 7 unstructured interviews, 12 semi-structured interviews and a survey were conducted. Respondents were picked due to their experience in Internet of Things projects and relevant technologies. The survey was conducted to evaluate the challenges’ relevance to high-technology manufacturers, on a 7-point Likert scale. The semi-structured interviews aimed to find actions to overcoming the challenges relevant to high-technology manufacturers. Findings - The evaluation of the challenges relevance to high-technology manufacturers resulted in 10 common, 9 occasional and 2 uncommon challenges. 12 actions to overcoming the challenges and their tasks were identified. Theoretical contribution - The study provides a comprehensive list of potential challenges to Internet of Things. It evaluated the challenges’ impact on high-technology manufacturers, thus challenging and validating Internet of Things challenges presented in literature. It provides a set of actions and a framework which aids in overcoming challenges that impact high-technology manufacturers’ Internet of Things initiatives, thus contributing to digital change management. Finally, it aids in the progress towards concretising Industry 4.0 and its trends toward connectivity, intelligence, and flexible automation. Practical contribution - The study provides an increased understanding of potential challenges of Internet of Things, and recommendations to how high-technology manufacturer can overcome the challenges. A framework is provided which gives an overview of which actions, and subsequent tasks, to take to overcome a specific challenge.

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.

Much like other cities Stockholm has traditionally used a technical system for managing stormwater. With time this system has become overburdened and has led to large environmental concerns. To reach water quality goals set by the EU Stockholm needs to decrease pollution released to recipients by 70-80%.  Green infrastructure (GI) has increasingly been used as an alternative and addition to technical stormwater systems. Many studies have been conducted on different solutions and their stormwater management performance. The City of Stockholm have done research on numerous solutions to evaluate their performance in the context of Stockholm as well. However, implementation in the inner city is slow, thus this study explores why this is the case, and how Stockholm’s stormwater management goals can be reached. Stockholm predominately uses trees planted in plant beds using structural soil, and a combination of constructed wetlands and wet ponds for stormwater management. In new developments there is no real concern, as the GI can be included in planning at an early stage. Including these solutions in existing environments causes issues related to space, both above and below ground, and costs. Therefore, other solutions need to be found. This study explored green roofs, green walls and permeable pavements as possible options. Additionally, it found that finding new space that has previously not been used for GI could be an option. To mitigate financing issues new ways of promoting investment into GI from private property owners could be utilized, but that there also is a mismatch between supposed support for sustainable stormwater management on the political side and funds allocated. Finally, the study recommends that Stockholm takes the technical systems into account and explores what GI measures best work together with it to more effectively decrease pollution.

The complexities associated with the deployment of indoor 5G infrastructure in commercial and industrial buildings are explored, with the aim of identifying the most practical and cost-effective strategies. The research delves into technical, economic, and stakeholder aspects of indoor 5G implementation within the Swedish context. Key technical challenges and potential solutions are thoroughly examined, and the importance of high-capacity and dependable wireless coverage is underscored. The economic viability is probed, underpinned by an analysis of costs, potential revenue streams, strategic benefits, and regulatory policies. A cost-sharing model is proposed, offering insights into potentially sustainable and equitable ways of financing indoor 5G infrastructure. The distinctive roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, including telecommunication operators, property owners, end-users, equipment suppliers, and the regulatory authority, are elaborated upon, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration and shared responsibilities for successful 5G deployment. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for ongoing research and collaboration among stakeholders in the dynamic 5G ecosystem, underscoring the transformative nature of 5G in reshaping wireless connectivity and its potential to deliver substantial economic and societal advantages. / Komplexiteten i samband med utrullningen av inomhus 5G-infrastruktur i kommersiella och industriella byggnader utforskas, med målet att identifiera de mest praktiska och kostnadseffektiva strategierna. Forskningen fördjupar sig i tekniska, ekonomiska och intressenternas aspekter av 5G-implementering inomhus inom den svenska kontexten. Tekniska utmaningar och potentiella lösningar undersöks noggrant, och vikten av högkapacitets- och pålitlig trådlös täckning betonas. Den ekonomiska genomförbarheten undersöks, underbyggd av en analys av kostnader, potentiella intäktsströmmar, strategiska fördelar och regleringspolitik. En kostnadsdelningsmodell föreslås, vilket ger insikter i potentiellt hållbara och rättvisa sätt att finansiera inomhus 5G-infrastruktur. De distinkta rollerna och ansvaren hos intressenter, däribland telekommunikationsoperatörer, fastighetsägare, slutanvändare, utrustningsleverantörer och regleringsmyndigheten, utforskas, vilket betonar nödvändigheten av samarbete och delade ansvarsområden för framgångsrik 5G-utplacering. Studien avslutas genom att betona behovet av pågående forskning och samarbete bland intressenter i det dynamiska 5G-ekosystemet, vilket understryker 5G ́s omvandlande natur i omformningen av den trådlösa infrastruktur och dess potential att leverera betydande ekonomiska och samhälleliga fördelar.

The adoption of eHealth is very slow despite evidences showing its benefits. This research examines the individual, clinical, technical and organizational challenges for eHealth adoption from healthcare provider‟s perspectives. A cross-sectional study design with a quantitative paradigm was used. The study was conducted on 312 doctors and nurses randomly selected from ten hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Most respondents viewed eHealth positively with no significant differences in terms of profession or gender. Computer skill, workload, patient interaction, management support, cost and infrastructure were the main concerns. Privacy and security were not the main concerns. Knowledge of eHealth applications and utilization was low, even for evidence-based medicine and online databases. Specialists and males were better aware of eHealth applications. The study showed that eHealth acceptance was good. Increasing eHealth literacy was recommended as a cost effective means for improving access to updated information to improve the quality of healthcare. / Health Studies / M.A. Public Health (Medical Informatics)