This study aims to investigate whether male leaders in women-dominated industries describe their leadership as masculine or feminine in accordance with the writers own designed model “Masculine leadership versus feminine leadership”. The model is based on previous research. Furthermore if there are other explanatory models for the leaders description. This study also answers whether male leaders in women-dominated branches seem to adopt a feminine leadership or stick to the typical leadership attached to male leadership. A qualitative approach has been applied throughout the study to create an in-depth understanding of the topic with a total of six male respondents who participated in a semi-structured interview. Historically, and from the theoretical point of view, it is most common for men to exercise a leadership style of masculine leadership. This study concluded that four out of six respondents have leadership styles that are consistent with the typical leadership applied to male leaders and that two respondents describe themselves as adopting a feminine leadership style. / Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka och förklara huruvida manliga ledare i kvinnodominerade branscher beskriver sitt ledarskap som maskulint eller feminint i enlighet med författarnas sammanfattade modell “Maskulint ledarskap kontra feminint ledarskap”, baserat på tidigare forskning, eller om andra förklaringsmodeller kan beskriva detta. Vidare undersöker författarna om manliga ledare tycks anamma en kvinnlig ledarskapsstil i kvinnodominerade branscher eller om de behåller den normtypiska ledarskapsstilen för manliga ledare. Ett kvalitativt angreppssätt, tematisk analys och abduktiv metod har tillämpats genom undersökningen för att skapa en djupgående förståelse inom området med totalt sex manliga respondenter som deltagit i en semistrukturerad intervju. Historiskt sett och baserat på teoretiska ståndpunkter har det i stor utsträckning visat sig att män utövar en ledarskapsstil utav maskulina ledaregenskaper. Denna studie resultat visar att fyra av sex respondenter besitter maskulina ledarskapsstilar och att två respondenter beskriver sig som att de anammar en feminin ledarskapsstil.

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Reinforced concrete (RC) structures constitute a significant portion of the building inventory in earthquake-prone regions of the United States. Accurate analysis tools are necessary to allow the quantitative assessment of the performance and safety offered by RC structures. Currently available analytical approaches are not deemed adequate, because they either rely on overly simplified models or are restricted to monotonic loading. The present study is aimed to establish analytical tools for the accurate simulation of RC structures under earthquake loads. The tools are also applicable to the simulation of reinforced masonry (RM) structures. A new material model is formulated for concrete under multiaxial, cyclic loading conditions. An elastoplastic formulation, with a non-associative flow rule to capture compression-dominated response, is combined with a rotating smeared-crack model to capture the damage associated with tensile cracking. The proposed model resolves issues which characterize existing concrete material laws. Specifically, the newly proposed formulation accurately describes the crack opening/closing behavior and the effect of confinement on the strength and ductility under compressive stress states. The model formulation is validated with analyses both at the material level and at the component level. Parametric analyses on RC columns subjected to quasi-static cyclic loading are presented to demonstrate the need to regularize the softening laws due to the spurious mesh size effect and the importance of accounting for the increased ductility in confined concrete. The impact of the shape of the yield surface on the results is also investigated. Subsequently, a three-dimensional analysis framework, based on the explicit finite element method, is presented for the simulation of RC and RM components under cyclic static and dynamic loading. The triaxial constitutive model for concrete is combined with a material model for reinforcing steel which can account for the material hysteretic response and for rupture due to low-cycle fatigue. The reinforcing steel bars are represented with geometrically nonlinear beam elements to explicitly account for buckling of the reinforcement. The strain penetration effect is also accounted for in the models. The modeling scheme is validated with the results of experimental static and dynamic tests on RC columns and RC/RM walls. The analyses are supplemented with a sensitivity study and with calibration guidelines for the proposed modeling scheme. Given the computational cost and complexity of three-dimensional finite element models in the simulation of shear-dominated structures, the development of a conceptually simpler and computationally more efficient method is also pursued. Specifically, the nonlinear truss analogy is employed to capture the response of shear-dominated RC columns and RM walls subjected to cyclic loading. A step-by-step procedure to establish the truss geometry is described. The uniaxial material laws for the concrete and masonry are calibrated to account for the contribution of aggregate interlock resistance across inclined shear cracks. Validation analyses are presented, for quasi-static and dynamic tests on RC columns and RM walls. / Ph. D.

Abstract : The objective is to provide methods to improve the performance, or prediction accuracy of standard stacking approach, which is an ensemble method composed of simple, heterogeneous base models, through the integration of the diversity generation, combination and/or selection stages for regression problems. In Chapter 1, we propose to combine a set of level-1 learners into a level-2 learner, or ensemble. We also propose to inject a diversity generation mechanism into the initial cross-validation partition, from which new cross-validation partitions are generated, and sub-sequent ensembles are trained. Then, we propose an algorithm to select best partition, or corresponding ensemble. In Chapter 2, we formulate the partition selection as a Pareto-based multi-criteria optimization problem, as well as an algorithm to make the partition selection iterative with the aim to improve more the ensemble prediction accuracy. In Chapter 3, we propose to generate multiple populations or partitions by injecting a diversity mechanism to the original dataset. Then, an algorithm is proposed to select the best partition among all partitions generated by the multiple populations. All methods designed and implemented in this thesis get encouraging, and favorably results across different dataset against both state-of-the-art models, and ensembles for regression. / Résumé : L’objectif est de fournir des techniques permettant d’améliorer la performance de l’algorithme de stacking, une méthode ensembliste composée de modèles de base simples et hétérogènes, à travers l’intégration de la génération de la diversité, la sélection et combinaison des modèles. Dans le chapitre 1, nous proposons de combiner différents sous-ensembles de modèles de base obtenus au primer niveau. Nous proposons un mécanisme pour injecter de la diversité dans la partition croisée initiale, à partir de laquelle de nouvelles partitions de validation croisée sont générées, et les ensembles correspondant sont formés. Ensuite, nous proposons un algorithme pour sélectionner la meilleure partition. Dans le chapitre 2, nous formulons la sélection de la partition comme un problème d’optimisation multi-objectif fondé sur un principe de Pareto, ainsi que d’un algorithme pour faire une application itérative de la sélection avec l’objectif d’améliorer d’avantage la précision d’ensemble. Dans le chapitre 3, nous proposons de générer plusieurs populations en injectant un mécanisme de diversité à l’ensemble de données original. Ensuite, un algorithme est proposé pour sélectionner la meilleur partition entre toutes les partitions produite par les multiples populations. Nous avons obtenu des résultats encourageants avec ces algorithmes lors de comparaisons avec des modèles reconnus sur plusieurs bases de données.

<p>This essay is part of a project between Södertörn University College and Stockholm Academic Forum. The focus of the project is gender equality in small- and medium sized companies. I have worked with a construction company called Activa . The majority of the employees at the company were male and I was interested in the consequences of gender construction in such an environment. I think that the basic condition for equality work is an understanding of gender and the male norm. The purpose was to investigate how these things worked out in the Activa organisation. I wanted to investigate the consequences of gender and illustrate how discrimination can work. The conclusions are supposed to be a base for the company’s future equality opportunities.</p><p>The methodology for this investigation were interviews. I have interviewed six persons, whom all worked at the company-office. The interviews were informal conversations based on a semi-structured methodology. The information I got was interpret by the hermeneutic tradition and analysed by gender theories.</p><p>The conclusions of this study are that gender indeed affected the organisation structure. The male and female employees experienced different working conditions. The male norm were in fact setting the agenda in the organisation. The male employees had better possibilities to affect the working conditions compared to the women. Both men and women maintained this structure. They were all acting in order of their expectations. The consequence of these structures, and the behaviour of both men and women at the company, creates an conception of the male norm as natural.</p>

In this study the patterns of sediment transport and deposition in the channels and receiving basin of a crevasse splay in the modern Mississippi River delta are examined, with emphasis on the development of a distributary mouth bar. Simultaneous hydroacoustic and optical measurements on the mouth bar show that the bar conforms to the progradational stage of an existing conceptual model of mouth bar development. This is confirmed by cores dated using Beryllium-7, which provides a record of the deposition on the bar over a 90-day period. Stratigraphic data from cores obtained on the bar are used to extend the conceptual model to account for variable riverine inputs. A numerical model, developed and validated using field data is capable of representing the fundamental sedimentary processes responsible for mouth bar progradation. These results will be of interest to coastal geologists, engineers and coastal managers alike.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka kvinnliga chefers upplevelse och framställningen av deras egenskaper i en mansdominerad bransch. Studien tar reda på hur den mansdominerade kontexten inverkar på kvinnors chefskap när det kommer till upplevelse och framställning av egenskaper. Fokus är riktat mot att kunna tolka den inverkandeeffekten av den manliga konstruktionen på både individnivå och från sin omgivning. Den tidigare forskningen ger en inblick i kvinnor som chefers upplevelse av hinder och möjligheter i sin chefsposition. Vidare har den teoretiska referensramen visat hur den sociala omgivningen skapat förväntningar inom könsroller och egenskaper som är kopplade till kvinna respektive man. Studien använder sig av tolv kvinnliga chefer i höga chefspositioner som arbetar inom IT på Volvo. De kvinnliga chefernas respons bidrar med en förståelse för deras chefskap i den mansdominerade IT-branschen. Resultatet av studien konstaterar att upplevelsen för de kvinnliga cheferna har påverkats av den mansdominerande kontexten. Centrala faktorer som påverkat deras upplevelse i sittchefskap har varit minoritetsställningen, balansen mellan den privata och professionella rollen, strukturella hinder samt högre krav på sin arbetsprestation. Fortsatt har resultatet visat att alla kvinnliga chefer har präglats till att framställa manliga egenskaper för att smälta in den mansdominerade arbetsmiljön. De mest imiterade manliga dragen har visat sig vara, strategisk, analytisk och beslutsfattare. I helhet har de kvinnliga cheferna varit överens om att upplevelse och framställning av egenskaper påverkas av personlighet och omgivning. / The purpose of this study is to examine experiences of female leadership and representation of their characteristics in a male-dominated industry. The study finds out how the male dominated context influences women's leadership when it comes to experience and representation of their characteristics. The focus is on being able to interpret the impact of the male construction on both the individual level and the environmental. The previous research gives an insight into women as managers' experience of obstacles and opportunities in their managerial position. Furthermore, the theoretical reference frame has shown how the social environment has created expectations in gender roles and characteristics that are linked to woman and man. The study uses twelve female managers in higher management positions who work within IT at Volvo. The response of the female managers contributes to an understanding of their leadership in the male-dominated IT industry. The result of the study states that the experience for the female managers has been influenced by the male-dominant context. Key factors that are influencing their experience in their management have been the minority position, the balance between the private and professional role, structural barriers and a higher demand on their work performance. The result has continued to show that all female managers have been characterized to produce male characteristics in order to blend into the male-dominated work environment. The most imitated male features have proven to be, strategic, analytical and decision makers. In summary, the female managers have agreed that the experience and representation of characteristics is influenced by personality and surroundings.

Historiskt och traditionellt sett har ledarskapet varit maskulint och branscher har varit uppdelade i kvinnliga och manliga. Genom tiderna har det funnits många motståndare tillkvinnligt ledarskap och då framför allt inom de så kallade mansdominerade branscherna. Idag år 2017 finns det fortfarande förutfattade meningar om att vissa typer av arbeten och utbildningar är kopplade till ett visst kön. Byggbranschen står inför ett enormt rekryteringsbehov. För att täcka behovet måste de få in fler kvinnor, det räcker inte med att målgruppen bara riktas mot män. I dagsläget finnsintresse, både från samhället och bland byggföretagen, att öka andelen kvinnor eftersom enarbetsplats gynnas av mångfald (byggvärlden, 2010). Det är en utmaning för byggbranschen att få fler kvinnor att söka sig till den. En lika stor utmaning är det att få kvinnor att stanna i branschen. Denna studie undersöker hur de kvinnliga ledarna inom byggbranschen, och i huvudsakbyggföretaget NCC, känner att de bemöts, om de märkt av det omtalade glastaket som gör det svårare för kvinnor att klättra inom företaget och hur organisationskulturen ter sig ute påbyggarbetsplatserna. För en klar bild och en jämförelse gentemot kvinnornas upplevelser har även manligayrkesarbetare svarat på frågor hur de känner runt att ha en kvinnlig ledare. Studien tyder på att byggbranschen fortfarande är anpassad för män men är under utveckling i en positiv riktning, att de flesta uppskattar en bra ledare och att det inte beror på kön utan personlighet. Kvinnor och män är ofta olika och det gäller att ta tillvara på alla olikheter och komplettera varandra för att uppnå ett bra resultat. Inom NCC välkomnas kvinnliga ledare ute på byggarbetsplatserna av yrkesarbetarna, de känner samma respekt och uppskattar en jämställd arbetsplats. De kvinnliga respondenterna känner sig accepterade och respekterade för sin ledarroll och känner sig inte särbehandladepå grund av att de är kvinnor. Flera av dem bevittnar ändå att de någon gång hört uttryck som ”lilla gumman" eller om leverantörer som vänder sig främst till deras manliga kollegor. Byggbranschen möter mycket kritik för sin rådande machokultur, under studiens gång får man ändå förståelsen om att det jobbas hårt runt om i Sverige för att utrota den både för en merjämställd arbetsplats som fler ska söka sig till men även för arbetsmiljön och säkerheten då fler olyckor ofta sker när män ska bevisa någon form av manlighet(Byggcheferna, 2017). Trots att byggbranschen har tagit jätte kliv mot en jämställd bransch så finns det ännu mycket kvar att jobba på. Kulturen är hårt rotad och om man ser tillbaka historisk så har vi ändå nått ett så här jämställt samhälle på mycket kort tid. Kvinnor har bara haft rösträtt i snart 100 år, från det stora klivet har utvecklingen gått snabbt framåt till att kvinnor nu kliver upp på alltfler ledande positioner. Att kulturen med attityder och värderingar, som tar lång tid att förändra, inte riktigt hänger med är inte så konstigt i det stora hela. Resultaten tyder på att byggbranschen behöver få till ett fungerande system för flextid även ute i produktionen för att få fler att söka sig till branschen, då dagens unga delar ansvaret mellan arbete och familj betydligt mer jämställt så gäller inte det inte enbart för kvinnorna utan även för männen. Alla de formella yttre hinder som tidigare har funnits för kvinnor att ta sig in i byggbranschen är borta tack vare lagstiftning. De hinder som finns kvar skapas av oss själva och samhället (Arhén. 1996). / Historically and traditionally, leadership has been masculine and industries have been divided into female and male. Over the years, there have been many opponents of female leadership and especially in the so-called men-dominated industries. Today in 2017 there are still preconceived opinions that certain types of work and education are linked to a certain gender. The construction industry faces a huge recruitment need. To cover the need, they need to bring in more women; it is not enough for the target group to target men only. At present, there is an interest, both from society and among construction companies, to increase the proportion of women because a workplace benefits from diversity. It is a challenge for the construction industry to get more women to search for it. An equal challenge is to make women stay in the industry. This study investigates how the female leaders in the construction industry, and in particular the construction company NCC, feel they are addressed if they are labeled by the reported glass roof that makes it difficult for women to climb within the company and how the organizational culture looks at the construction sites. For a clear picture and a comparison to the women's experiences, male professional workers have also answered questions about how they feel about having a female leader. The study suggests that the construction industry is still geared to men but is under development in a positive direction, that most people appreciate a good leader and that it does not depend on gender without personality. Within NCC, female leaders are welcomed at the construction sites of the workforce and women feel accepted and respected for the leaders they are. However, many of them witness that they once heard expressions like "little rubber" or about suppliers who are primarily concerned with their male colleagues. The construction industry is faced with a lot of criticism for its prevailing macho culture. During the course of the study, however, one gets the understanding that the job base is hard around Sweden in order to eradicate both for a more equal workplace for more people to apply for, but also for the work environment and safety as more accidents Often happens when men are to prove some form of masculinity (Byggcheferna, 2017). Even though the construction industry has taken great steps towards an equal industry, there is still much left to work on. The culture is hard-rooted and if you look back historically, we have reached such an equal society in a very short time. Women have only had voting rights for almost 100 years, from the very beginning, the trend has gone fast to women now climbing on more and more leading positions. The fact that the culture of attitudes and values, which takes a long time to change, does not really depend on is not so strange in general. The results indicate that the construction industry needs to get a working flextide system even in production to get more people looking for the industry, since today’s young share the responsibilities between work and family much more equally, not only applies to women but also to men. All the formal external obstacles that previously existed for women to enter the construction industry are gone by virtue of legislation. The obstacles that remain are created by ourselves and society (Arhén 1996).

For a long time the military arena has been a context that is male-dominated and which even has been described as the arena that produces ideal forms of masculinity. This study examines the conditions for the women who choose to join the male-dominated military arena. The purpose of the study was to provide knowledge about womens experiences from basic military education in Sweden through a gender perspective. And more specifically, give insight into how women who completed education relate to expectations associated with being women and expectations associated with the role of the soldier. Central questions were created and these concerned how women perceived the role of the soldier, the extent to which they perceived gender segregation practices and the strategies used by women to deal with the male-dominated education and its possible gender segregation processes. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with five women who had complete basic military education in Sweden. A theoretical framework was created that contained theories about gender, gender power systems, women's strategies in male dominated professions, gender segregation processes, gender regimes and hegemonic masculinity. Previous research on women's conditions and experiences in the military indicates that women face opposition and exclusion, while women's presence at the same time has challenged discourses about femininity and the normative soldier. The results from the studie pointed out that the women perceived the military arena as a place where they were given the opportunity to do gender in new ways, while highlighting different problem areas during the education. These included that women were not expected to perform in the same degree as men and that the commanders had little understanding of specific female needs or questions.

The study is conducted in cooperation with a gender research group, at Mid Sweden University as a part of their larger study of gender equality within the organisation SCA. The purpose is to identify the challenges that females experience as leaders within male-dominated industries. The research approach is based on social constructivism philosophy and with an abductive reasoning approach. The empirical data were gathered with a qualitative method, usinginterviews as a research tool. The analysis was conducted with temple analysis method. The research’s findings showed that the organisation had a stereotype of a leader that connects the ideal leader to the male stereotype, that creates challenges for females in leading positions. It also indicated that the organisation had masculine structures and that it values employee’s that are being decisive, competitive, result-focused, etc. The research result also indicated that thestereotypes in the organisation are creating challenges for females in both operating abilities and challenges with advancing/get employment as a leader.