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This study aims to examine flexible workspaces from the perspective of a real estate owner. The research questions include how flexible workspaces will develop in Stockholm, how well the provision of flexible workspaces fit into the business model for real estate companies and how they can accommodate solutions on flexibility in their portfolio.  The method used consists of two parts, firstly a case study performed on the London based real estate company British Land who have developed a concept for flexible workspace called Storey. The second part consisted of eleven interviews with representatives from real estate companies in Stockholm. By combining these two parts, a sound basis for mapping the success factors for how to extend a business model by offering flexible workspaces along with an appreciation of its future development could be made. The findings include the real estate companies’ perception that increased levels of flexibility will be a common sight in the real estate landscape in the future. There are however several different approaches on which strategy to choose in order to offer concepts for flexibility in an office portfolio, all depending on the organisational structure and business model for the individual real estate company. The contribution of this study is therefore that real estate companies can gain a number of benefits by offering flexibility in their portfolio. / Studien ämnar till att undersöka koncept för flexibla arbetsplatser ur ett fastighetsägarperspektiv. Forskningsfrågorna behandlar hur väl det passar en fastighetsägares affärsmodell att tillhandahålla olika koncept för flexibla arbetsplatser och kontor i sin fastighetsportfölj och hur de i sådana fall skall gå till väga, samt hur utvecklingen av detta arbetssätt kommer att emottas på Stockholms-marknaden.  Undersökningens metod består av två delar. Först har en fallstudie utförts på det Londonbaserade fastighetsbolaget British Land som själva utvecklat ett koncept för flexibla arbetsplatser, kallat Storey. Därefter har elva intervjuer med representanter från fastighetsbolag i Stockholm genomförts. Detta har skapat ett solitt fundament för att kartlägga de framgångsfaktorer som ligger till grund för hur en fastighetsägare kan utöka sin affärsmodell för att erbjuda flexibla arbetsytor. Resultaten pekar på att flexibla arbetsplatser kommer att fortsätta att växa på Stockholms-marknaden och bli ett vanligare arbetssätt för både små och stora företag. Det finns sedan ett antal strategier en fastighetsägare kan välja för att erbjuda sådana koncept i sitt fastighetsbestånd, vilket är beroende på organisationsstrukturen och affärsmodellen i det enskilda fastighetsbolaget. Forskningsbidraget i studien är bland annat att det finns en mängd fördelar som en fastighetsägare kan dra nytta av genom att tillhandahålla koncept för ökad flexibilitet i sin fastighetsportfölj.

In the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the textile industry faced significant challenges regarding the SC. The importance of managing the relationship between the supplier and buyer was crucial in order to cope with the disruption in the SC. The textile industry implemented measures to manage and minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was a crucial missing link between the disruption and how or if the relationship between the buyer and supplier changed. The thesis aims to explore and investigate how Swedish-based fashion textile SC actors (buyers and suppliers) can manage the relationship in the SC and what factors can be identified that characterize a change. Further, the thesis examines the relationship between buyer and supplier, with emphasis on what relationship management factors have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The thesis is based on Swedish companies, having a global textile value chain. To satisfy the purpose of this study, a qualitative method with a deductive approach was implemented. The data gathering consisted of primary data, including three semi-structured interviews with two buyer representatives and one supplier representative. Additionally, a literature review was conducted to complement the primary data. The analysis is based on exploring and comparing the themes found in the primary data and the literature review regarding the factors characterizing the change in the relationship between the buyer and the supplier. The common characteristics found in the literature review and primary data indicated the change in the relationship between supplier and buyer during the COVID-19 pandemic. It could be identified that trust and communication strengthened the collaboration between suppliers and buyers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flexibility was further a factor that characterized a positive change in the relationship because of the deeper understanding between the supplier and the buyer during the pandemic. In contrast to the findings from the interviews, the relationship factor “power” was prominent in the literature review with the characteristic of changing the relationship. However, power was not central in the interviews as a factor enabling changes. The practical implication of this study highlights the importance of the relationship between a supplier and buyer, especially the relationship during a disruption, as the textile SC is complex, and the actors are interconnected. Multiple factors can characterize the change in the relationship. In the thesis, two relationship factors were prominent from the literature and interviews, collaboration, and flexibility. Suppliers and buyers in the textile industry can use the result of this study to improve and understand the relationship factors that can characterize a change in the relationship during a pandemic disruption.

In my paper, I argue that the underlying social ideals of the late modern labor market, namely flexibility and singularity, undermine human flourishing as conceptualized by Martha C. Nussbaum. It is on these grounds, that we should be critical of late modernity. For an account of late modernity, I rely on the sociological works of Ulrich Beck (1992), Zygmunt Bauman (2000; 2007a), and Andreas Reckwitz (Reckwitz & Pakis, 2020). My account of this socio-historical era focusses on the three main components that set it apart from the previous industrial modernity according to the aforementioned sociologists: the revolution in ICT, the creative economy, and the socio-cultural revolution within the new middle class. It becomes clear that these three components contribute to a more liquid, flexible, and singularized setting. On this basis, then, I will introduce the ethical theory of Martha C. Nussbaum: The Capabilities Approach. I will justify the methodological choice of using her theory, and not that the Capabilities approach of Amartya Sen. My focus on human flourishing will be defended against the accusation of being universalist or biased, and the suggestion that preference utilitarianism would be a better fit for my research objective.  The main body of my paper is the ethical analysis and weighing of arguments for and against my thesis, that we ought to object to the social ideals promoted by the late modern labor market because they undermine human flourishing. I will give two main arguments in support of this thesis, each corresponding to one of Nussbaum's central Capabilities. The first one identifies a conflict between the requirements for our emotional Capability and the kind of self-sufficiency needed to achieve the social ideal of flexibility. I show, that flexibility has become a necessary coping strategy for the late modern individual, making the conflict a pressing one to solve. My second argument draws out a lack of respect and dignity granted to those who perform functional labor (mostly in the service sector) in late modernity, because the functional worker can not live up to the social ideal of singularity. The lack of respect for functional workers pushes them below the threshold required for human flourishing. Finally, I will consider the counterargument, that the late modern labor market provides better opportunities for creative expression and self-actualization. Is that not the epitome of human flourishing i.e. the actualization of one's potentialities? However, I refute this counterargument on multiple grounds: firstly, the goal is not human flourishing, but economic profit. Secondly, it promotes a kind of consumerism, that seems to conflict with emotional needs. Lastly, the workers who are enabled creative expression, are and will remain few.

The latest bridge inventory report for the United States indicates that 25% of the highway bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. With such a large number of bridges in this condition, safety and serviceability concerns become increasingly relevant along with the associated increase in user costs and delays. Biennial inspections have proven subjective and need to be coupled with standardized non-destructive testing methods to accurately assess a bridge's condition for decision making purposes. Structural health monitoring is typically used to track and evaluate performance, symptoms of operational incidents, anomalies due to deterioration and damage during regular operation as well as after an extreme event. Dynamic testing and analysis are concepts widely used for health monitoring of existing structures. Successful health monitoring applications on real structures can be achieved by integrating experimental, analytical and information technologies on real life, operating structures. Real-life investigations must be backed up by laboratory benchmark studies. In addition, laboratory benchmark studies are critical for validating theory, concepts, and new technologies as well as creating a collaborative environment between different researchers. To implement structural health monitoring methods and technologies, a physical bridge model was developed in the UCF structures laboratory as part of this thesis research. In this study, the development and testing of the bridge model are discussed after a literature review of physical models. Different aspects of model development, with respect to the physical bridge model are outlined in terms of design considerations, instrumentation, finite element modeling, and simulating damage scenarios. Examples of promising damage detection methods were evaluated for common damage scenarios simulated on the numerical and physical models. These promising damage indices were applied and directly compared for the same experimental and numerical tests. To assess the simulated damage, indices such as modal flexibility and curvature were applied using mechanics and structural dynamics theory. Damage indices based on modal flexibility were observed to be promising as one of the primary indicators of damage that can be monitored over the service life of a structure. Finally, this thesis study will serve an international effort that has been initiated to explore bridge health monitoring methodologies under the auspices of International Association for Bridge Maintenance and Safety (IABMAS). The data generated in this thesis research will be made available to researchers as well as practitioners in the broad field of structural health monitoring through several national and international societies, associations and committees such as American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Dynamics Committee, and the newly formed ASCE Structural Health Monitoring and Control Committee.

The Paris Agreement on climate change entered into force in 2016 and has been ratified by 193 of the 197 Parties to-date, followed by country targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, not least through an increasing penetration of renewable energy sources. In its 2021 annual World Energy Outlook, the IEA envisages a Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario (NZE) in which renewables as a percentage of total energy supply increase from around 10% in 2020 to over 65% in 2050 and is reflected by a similar change in the percentage of variable renewables in total generation, thereby increasing the need for system flexibility. Thermal grids are a significant supplier of heat to buildings in Europe, Russia and China, providing 45 % of heat in some European countries. One of the advantages of district heating is its ability to consume multiple fuel sources, including electricity. Technologies for converting heat back to electricity mean that, in theory, district heating can adjust both the consumption of electricity, and potentially supply electricity, to provide short-term flexibility and ancillary services to the power grid, and thus may help to meet future system flexibility needs. This thesis describes the results of literature reviews and a techno-economic study to determine and quantify the potential for thermal grids to address future system flexibility needs, through possible contributions to the electricity balancing market or provision of ancillary services. These studies focus on the potential use of heat-to-power technologies in thermal grids; on identifying and quantifying short term heat storage options that can be used for increased flexibility in thermal grids; and whether the use of this flexibility could contribute to reduced curtailment of renewable electricity sources, leading to avoided emissions.  The results show that most thermal grids have multiple options for the storage of heat, with storage capacity already available that could potentially be used to provide additional flexibility. Stored heat may be converted to electricity with commercially available heat-to-power technologies, although economic feasibility may still be limited. It is shown that if storage flexibility is used to reduce the curtailment of renewable energy sources at a country scale through power-to-heat technology, this storage flexibility can lead to megatonnes of avoided CO₂eq emissions.

One very common axiom amongst Strength and Conditioning Professionals and Athletic Performance Coaches is that the least flexible athletes usually produce the fastest 40-yard dash times. Flexibility, in this case specifically refers to posterior chain flexibility (PCF). This is usually measured by athletes ability to perform a sit-and-reach test. This train of thought has been widely accepted within the human performance professions, even though it is void of any scientific investigation or measured validity. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between posterior chain flexibility using the sit-and-reach test and speed in the 40-yard dash. All test subjects were male between the ages of 18-22, and members of a Division I university football team. All 95 test subjects had participated in at least one semester of a strength and conditioning program designed by Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists. Similar of the study done by Johnson (2001), each athlete was placed in a group based on position, line of scrimmage groups (LOS), Skill group (receivers, cornerbacks, rover linebackers, whip linebackers, and safeties), Combo group (inside linebackers, tight ends, quarterbacks, tailbacks, fullbacks, and defensive ends), Specialist group (place- kickers, kick-off specialists, holders, and punters). Each test subject was tested in the 40-yard dash, the sit-and-reach flexibility test, as well as other tests for strength and power such as the bench press, front squat, push jerk, power clean, vertical jump, and agility tests. Body weight and height was also measured. This study used a simple linear regression on the data where the Sit-and-Reach test results were the dependent variable and the subjects timed results in a 40 yard dash was the independent variable. There appears to be no significant relationship between a low flexibility score and the sprint speed of an athlete for the entire group population. The results also show that there is no significant relationship between flexibility of the posterior chain and linear speed as measured in the 40-yard dash when looking at football players that fall under the Combo, Skill, or LOS position groups. There was however a significant relationship for the specialist group. The theory that the least flexible athletes usually produce the fastest 40-yard dash times is not true for those specific groups. / Ph. D.

This dissertation presents work targeted to study the effects of diaphragm flexibility on the seismic performance of light frame wood structures (LFWS). The finite element approach is considered for modeling LFWS as it is more detailed and provides a way to explicitly incorporate individual structural elements and corresponding material properties. It is also suitable for capturing the detailed response of LFWS components and the structure as a whole. The finite element modeling methodology developed herein is in general based on the work done by the other finite element researchers in this area. However, no submodeling or substructuring of subassemblages is performed and instead a detailed model considering almost every connection in the shear walls and diaphragms is developed. The studs, plates, sills, blockings and joists are modeled using linear isotropic three dimensional frame elements. A linear orthotropic shell element incorporating both membrane and plate behavior is used for the sheathings. The connections are modeled using oriented springs with modified Stewart hysteresis spring stiffnesses. The oriented spring pair has been found to give a more accurate representation of the sheathing to framing connections in shear walls and diaphragms when compared to non-oriented or single springs typically used by most researchers in the past. Fifty six finite element models of LFWS are created using the developed methodology and eighty eight nonlinear response history analyses are performed using the Imperial Valley and Northridge ground motions. These eighty eight analyses encompass the parametric study on the house models with varying aspect ratios, diaphragm flexibility and lateral force resisting system. Torsionally irregular house models showed the largest range of variation in peak base shear of individual shear walls, when corresponding flexible and rigid diaphragm models are compared. It is also found that presence of an interior shear wall helps in reducing peak base shears in the boundary walls of torsionally irregular models. The interior walls presence was also found to reduce the flexibility of diaphragm. A few analyses also showed that the nail connections are the major source of in-plane flexibility compared to sheathings within a diaphragm, irrespective of the aspect ratio of the diaphragm. A major part of the dissertation focuses on the development of a new high performance nonlinear dynamic finite element analysis program which is also used to analyze all the LFWS finite element models presented in this study. The program is named WoodFrameSolver and is written on a mixed language platform Microsoft Visual Studio .NET using object-oriented C++, C and FORTRAN. This tool set is capable of performing basic structural analysis chores like static and dynamic analysis of 3D structures. It has a wide collection of linear, nonlinear and hysteretic elements commonly used in LFWS analysis. The advanced analysis features include static, nonlinear dynamic and incremental dynamic analysis. A unique aspect of the program lies in its capability of capturing elastic displacement participation (sensitivity) of spring, link, frame and solid elements in static analysis. The program's performance and accuracy are similar to that of SAP 2000 which is chosen as a benchmark for validating the results. The use of fast and efficient serial and parallel solver libraries obtained from INTEL has reduced the solution time for repetitive dynamic analysis. The utilization of the standard C++ template library for iterations, storage and access has further optimized the analysis process, especially when problems with a large number of degrees of freedom are encountered. / Ph. D.

This thesis reviews the parameters required to perform linear response history analysis according to Chapter 16 of the American Standard ASCE 7-10. A careful analysis is presented about the selection of ground motions using real records and using artificial records generated such that their response spectrum matches with a defined target spectrum; three different techniques are studied for the generation of these artificial records. Also, this document revises the scaling of ground motion techniques in the American Standard ASCE-7 as well as in other seismic codes. It presents a detailed analysis of the variables influencing the scaling of ground motions, and it suggests a new scaling technique for linear response history analysis. The assumptions made establishing the flexibility of the diaphragms are also analyzed as well as dynamic methods to include accidental torsion when doing a linear response history analysis. Other modeling issues such as the orientation of the ground motion axis, scaling of element forces and displacements, orthogonal loading, solution techniques, P-Delta effects, modeling of the basement, and calculation of drifts are also studied in the context of linear response history analysis. The thesis concludes with suggested code language for linear response history analysis intended to be considered in future editions of the American Standard ASCE 7. / Master of Science

Denna uppsats ämnar att undersöka sambandet mellan arbetstillfredsställelse och arbetsflexibilitet samt hur arbetstillfredsställelsen skiljer sig mellan könen när de har barn under 18 år i Sverige. Genom att använda ett befintligt dataset, insamlat av International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), har vi kunnat utföra multipel regressionsanalyser. Vi har med hjälp av tidigare forskning samt teorier kring krav- och kontroll, rollteori och dubbelarbete format fyra hypoteser för att möjliggöra analysering av resultatet. Resultaten visade på att det inte finns ett samband mellan arbetstillfredsställelse och kön kontrollerat för andra variabler, dock finns ett negativt samband mellan kön och arbetstillfredsställelse, utan kontrollvariabler. Resultatet visade även på att det finns ett positivt samband mellan arbetstillfredsställelse och arbetsflexibilitet. Sambandet pekar således mot att högre arbetsflexibilitet samvarierar med högre arbetstillfredsställelse. Vidare rapporterade kvinnor med barn under 7 år lägre arbetstillfredsställelse jämfört med män. Medan män med barn mellan 7 och 17 år rapporterade lägre arbetstillfredsställelse än kvinnor när antalet barn ökar. / This bachelor's thesis aims to examine the relationship between job satisfaction and work flexibility, in addition to how job satisfaction differs between the genders when they have children under the age of 18 in Sweden. By utilizing an existing dataset, collected by the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), we conducted multiple regression analyses. Drawing on prior research and theories regarding demand and control, roles, and the double burden, we formulated four hypotheses. Furthermore, we analyzed our results using the theoretical framework to gain an understanding of their implications. The results implicate no significant correlation between job satisfaction and gender, when controlled for other variables. However, a negative correlation was found between gender and job satisfaction, without control variables. A positive correlation was also found between job satisfaction and work flexibility. Therefore, the evidence suggests that higher levels of work flexibility co-varies with increased job satisfaction. Furthermore, women with children under the age of 7 reported lower job satisfaction compared to men. In contrast, men with children between ages 7 and 17 reported lower job satisfaction than women as the number of children increased.