Longitudinal personalized electronic health record (LPHR) provides a holistic view of health records for individuals and offers a consistent patient-controlled information system for managing the health care of patients. Except for the patients in Veterans Affairs health care service, however, no LPHR is available for the general population in the U.S. that can integrate the existing patients' electronic health records throughout life of care. Such a gap may be contributed mainly by the fact that existing patients' electronic health records are scattered across multiple health care facilities and often not shared due to privacy and security concerns from both patients and health care organizations. The main objective of this dissertation is to address these roadblocks by designing a scalable and interoperable LPHR with patient-controlled and mutually-trusted security and privacy. Privacy and security are complex problems. Specifically, without a set of access control policies, encryption alone cannot secure patient data due to insider threat. Moreover, in a distributed system like LPHR, so-called race condition occurs when access control policies are centralized while decisions making processes are localized. We propose a formal definition of secure LPHR and develop a blockchain-enabled next generation access control (BeNGAC) model. The BeNGAC solution focuses on patient-managed secure authorization for access, and NGAC operates in open access surroundings where users can be centrally known or unknown. We also propose permissioned blockchain technology - Hyperledger Fabric (HF) - to ease the shortcoming of race condition in NGAC that in return enhances the weak confidentiality protection in HF. Built upon BeNGAC, we further design a blockchain-enabled secure and trusted (BEST) LPHR prototype in which data are stored in a distributed yet decentralized database. The unique feature of the proposed BEST-LPHR is the use of blockchain smart contracts allowing BeNGAC policies to govern the security, privacy, confidentiality, data integrity, scalability, sharing, and auditability. The interoperability is achieved by using a health care data exchange standard called Fast Health Care Interoperability Resources. We demonstrated the feasibility of the BEST-LPHR design by the use case studies. Specifically, a small-scale BEST-LPHR is built for sharing platform among a patient and health care organizations. In the study setting, patients have been raising additional ethical concerns related to consent and granular control of LPHR. We engineered a Web-delivered BEST-LPHR sharing platform with patient-controlled consent granularity, security, and privacy realized by BeNGAC. Health organizations that holding the patient's electronic health record (EHR) can join the platform with trust based on the validation from the patient. The mutual trust is established through a rigorous validation process by both the patient and built-in HF consensus mechanism. We measured system scalability and showed millisecond-range performance of LPHR permission changes. In this dissertation, we report the BEST-LPHR solution to electronically sharing and managing patients' electronic health records from multiple organizations, focusing on privacy and security concerns. While the proposed BEST-LPHR solution cannot, expectedly, address all problems in LPHR, this prototype aims to increase EHR adoption rate and reduce LPHR implementation roadblocks. In a long run, the BEST-LPHR will contribute to improving health care efficiency and the quality of life for many patients. / Doctor of Philosophy / Longitudinal personalized electronic health record (LPHR) provides a holistic view of health records for individuals and offers a consistent patient-controlled information system for managing the health care of patients. Except for the patients in Veterans Affairs health care service, however, no LPHR is available for the general population in the U.S. that can integrate the existing patients' electronic health records throughout life of care. Such a gap may be contributed mainly by the fact that existing patients' electronic health records are scattered across multiple health care facilities and often not shared due to privacy and security concerns from both patients and health care organizations. The main objective of this dissertation is to address these roadblocks by designing a scalable and interoperable LPHR with patient-controlled and mutually-trusted security and privacy. We propose a formal definition of secure LPHR and develop a novel blockchain-enabled next generation access control (BeNGAC) model, that can protect security and privacy of LPHR. Built upon BeNGAC, we further design a blockchain-enabled secure and trusted (BEST) LPHR prototype in which data are stored in a distributed yet decentralized database. The health records on BEST-LPHR are personalized to the patients with patient-controlled security, privacy, and granular consent. The unique feature of the proposed BEST-LPHR is the use of blockchain technology allowing BeNGAC policies to govern the security, privacy, confidentiality, data integrity, scalability, sharing, and auditability. The interoperability is achieved by using a health care data exchange standard. We demonstrated the feasibility of the BEST-LPHR design by the use case studies. Specifically, a small-scale BEST-LPHR is built for sharing platform among a patient and health care organizations. We engineered a Web-delivered BEST-LPHR sharing platform with patient-controlled consent granularity, security, and privacy realized by BeNGAC. Health organizations that holding the patient's electronic health record (EHR) can join the platform with trust based on the validation from the patient. The mutual trust is established through a rigorous validation process by both the patient and built-in blockchain consensus mechanism. We measured system scalability and showed millisecond-range performance of LPHR permission changes. In this dissertation, we report the BEST-LPHR solution to electronically sharing and managing patients' electronic health records from multiple organizations, focusing on privacy and security concerns. While the proposed BEST-LPHR solution cannot, expectedly, address all problems in LPHR, this prototype aims to increase EHR adoption rate and reduce LPHR implementation roadblocks. In a long run, the BEST-LPHR will contribute to improving health care efficiency and the quality of life for many patients.

Customer behavior has always been of interest for business researchers. However, it is just in recent years that there has been an increasing interest in the phenomenon of the sharing economy. It has been suggested that there is an ongoing shift in the traditional way of consuming. The idea behind the sharing economy is that two different parties can make use of their underused assets through an online platform. Previous quantitative research in the area of interest mainly focuses on the motivational factors for participation in the sharing economy; four of the most prominent factors were therefore identified and further investigated. In this thesis, these factors are referred to as drivers and more specifically, the drivers of enjoyment, sustainability, convenience, and financial benefits. Further, previous research gives an indication of a discrepancy between customer attitudes and actions when making a decision in the sharing economy. With this in mind, the purpose of this thesis is to describe customer behavior in the sharing economy. More specifically, this thesis seeks to study the relationship between attitudes and actions of customers in the sharing economy. Taking this into account, the following research question was formulated:   What is the relationship between attitudes and actions of the customers participating in the sharing economy of Rentl AB?   In order to fulfill the purpose of this thesis, the Swedish sharing economy business Rentl was addressed. To answer the research question a quantitative research strategy was followed where a survey was sent out to randomly chosen customers of Rentl and 145 responses were collected. The collected data was statistically analyzed by the use of Paired T-tests and Regression Analyses. Further, the empirical findings regarding the four identified drivers were analyzed in accordance with the theoretical framework. The identified attitude-action gap is therefore analyzed by the application of basic customer decision-making, the theory of Bounded Rationality, the Theory of Reasoned Action & the Theory of Planned Behavior, and finally the Self-Determination Theory.   The authors established that there is a positive relationship between attitudes and actions regarding the extrinsic drivers, convenience and financial benefits. However, it was further established that the intrinsic drivers, enjoyment and sustainability, do not have a significant influence on the actual actions. In other words, a positive attitude toward enjoyment and sustainability as drivers for participation in the sharing economy does not necessarily translate into actions. Thus, the authors identified that there is an attitude-action gap in the sharing economy.     In addition to the theoretical contributions, this research further contributes with practical aspects. More importantly, the sharing business Rentl is provided with a better understanding for the customer behavior in their business. Considering that the findings of this research identify convenience and financial benefits as significant drivers for participation, this can be emphasized in marketing contexts by managers.

The urgency for a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emission is emphasised in the new Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in order to maintain the security and sustainable development of humanity. As proposed in the report, changing individual consumption behaviour can considerably alleviate the environmental impact of consumption and emissions. However, transforming individual to sustainable consumption behaviour has proven over time to be a challenging task involving all aspects of the society and industry. Sharing practice is a form of collaborative consumption proven to be applicable in fulfilling user needs with minimised environmental impact and material consumption as well as creating a sustainable consumption behaviour. A case study is conducted on the online peer-to-peer stuff sharing platform to discover what challenges users to perform sharing practice, what influences the participation in sharing practice, and what strategy a platform can have to stimulate the participation in sharing practice. The method of this thesis is a qualitative content analysis of the user reviews from the online stuff sharing platform, and the approach is inspired by grounded theory. The findings of the thesis present the difficulties of platform users in sharing practice, i.e. information transparency, arrangement, quality, security, and user knowledge. Also, the findings state the factors underlying identified difficulties, namely social presence, competence in sharing practice, and platform responsibility. The study concludes with strategies that can be applied for optimising sharing practice and platform. Besides, the initiative of the platform is highlighted to create transformation toward sustainable consumption behaviour. Otherwise, the development of sharing practice can be jeopardised. Besides, further research is necessary to establish a holistic outlook of sharing practice and facilitating the transformation toward sustainable consumption.

This thesis study explores the existing knowledge management and sharing practices in donor organizations, particularly working in the developing countries. The potentional of knowledge management and sharing to facilitate development organizations in carrying out development work has been recognised in the literature. Literature presented mix of critique and appreciation to the existing efforts of donor agencies. Knowledge sharing platforms revolves around the country initiatives and donor agencies like UNDP and World Bank which are proactive in establishing these platforms for partner organizations. This research contributes practical insight to the question of delivery of these platforms, through an empirical investigation based on the development professionals' experiences. As earlier research shows enormous amount of literature on individual, team and organizational level knowledge sharing, this study sets prime focus on community level or external knowledge sharing, an area where there exist a dearth of emperical research or contributing literature on examing the role of sharing initiatives and possible contribution in improving risk management in development projects. Literature shows the potential of knowledge management and sharing practices, as their possible contribution in the global development practices and in bridging gap between North-South stakeholders. However, cultural, technological, organizational and individual level issues escalate with external level of knowledge sharing and thesis rightly, identifies success factors from the literature alongwith their viability from the professionals. It is even more inadequate when it comes to projects of donor organizations in under developed and developing countries. With 80% of documented failure rates of knowledge sharing systems, external knowledge sharing with partner organizations or network organizations is really not adequate and do not have supporting culture. As this whole process of sharing knowledge, heavily relies on the perceived motivation and willingness to share, study has tried to identify the challenges facing wider use of these sharing systems. Study also contributes with suggestions for knowledge management and sharing system developers, policy and decision makers and system users, to improve the overall contribution of knowledge sharing in better risk management. Apart from the cultural barriers, there are technical and policy level issues which need more concerted efforts to improve the use of these sharing systems by various organizations and individuals. / House No. 174-A, St. 61, I-8/3, Islamabad, Pakistan Contact: +92-336-5666065, Email: noman-1985@hotmail.com

This qualitative study is of the interpretivist nature and it aims to examine how knowledge workers perceive their interaction with a knowledge management system when used for knowledge sharing purposes. The purpose is to offer answers to two research questions: How do knowledge workers perceive their interaction with knowledge management technology in relation to knowledge sharing? What are the benefits and challenges that knowledge workers experience in relation to knowledge managing and sharing when using a KMS system? The data was collected by applying qualitative research methods and by conducting five interviews with participants of an IT organization that has its head office in Sweden, but additional offices in other geographical locations. To be able to study the participants´ perception and the benefits of the use on both local and international levels, the interviewees were chosen from different sites in which their organization was operating. To provide the answers to these questions and to establish the foundation of this research, an extensive literature review on the problem area was carried out, and a theoretical framework has been employed to study the different aspects of this model in the context of knowledge management systems in relation to knowledge sharing among knowledge workers. As a result, additional derived attributes came from the findings and it is shown that users tend to relate knowledge quality with the completeness, frequency of update, and validity of the knowledge content that they are exposed to in the KMS. Similarly, they relate KMS quality to administrability and maintenance easiness, whereas organizational service providing quality in relation to knowledge sharing is more related to the aspects of organizational commitment and reliability. Moreover, the findings show that participants relate their intention to use the KMS to the attributes of convenience and practicality, and the levels of user satisfaction were in this case mainly related to the user´s perception of usefulness. Lastly, the perception of the benefits and reciprocal value-creating for both the organization and the individual was examined and the findings show that the users tend to relate these to the aspect of relevance, or in other words that the benefits are only perceived as useful by the user if they are identifiable, respectively the user being aware of the benefits and perceiving them as relevant.