Södertörns högskolas Publications
Not a member yet
15008 research outputs found
Sort by
Why Don't We Use Them? Understanding the Infrequent Use of Voice Assistants in Sweden
No full textThis study explores how Swedish users interact with voice assistants (VAs), and what hinders the adoption of VAs in Sweden. Combining a pilot study with qualitative interviews, the study indicates that while the awareness of VAs is high, regular use still remains limited. The use of VAs are mostly for simple, practical tasks like making phone calls, texting and navigation. Barriers to use include privacy concerns, lack of knowledge about the VAs capabilities, linguistic challenges and VAs inability to understand context. Users preferred to use the VA in private settings and avoided using them in public environments due to discomfort. The default female VA voice and interactions were often described as robotic, but were sometimes the preferred choice in order to avoid humanizing the technology. The study shows that addressing privacy concerns, improving onboarding, and enhancing conversational interactions and voice customization options could make them easier and more appealing to users
Morfologisk medvetenhet : En praktiknära studie om att utveckla elevers morfologiska medvetande i svenskämnet i årskurs 5
No full textInternational assessments such as PIRLS and PISA (Skolverket 2021; 2023) indicate a decline in reading comprehension and increasing disparities among Swedish students. These assessments also evaluate students’ ability to understand word meanings. Research highlights that a well developed vocabulary is crucial for reading comprehension (Nagy & Scott, 2000), and the Swedish National Agency for Education (2020) emphasizes that instruction should actively promote vocabulary development as a prerequisite for educational equity and, ultimately, a democratic society.This study investigates how explicit and structured instruction in morphology, with a focus on derivational affixes (derivational prefixes and derivational suffixes), can support the develop-ment of students’ morphological awareness—skills that previous research suggests are essential for interpreting the meaning of unfamiliar words, and thus important for both language and reading development (Apel & Henbest 2016; Graves, Schneider & Ringstaff 2017). The study is grounded in variation theory (Lo 2013) and was conducted as a learning study in two fifth-grade classrooms. Pre- and post-tests were designed by the researchers based on Apel’s (2014) definition of morphological awareness and selected assessment aspects intended to evaluate students’ practical morphological skills (Apel, Henbest & Petscher 2021). The tests were used to examine students’ morphological awareness before and after the intervention. The results demonstrate a clear development in students’ morphological awareness, particularly in their ability to segment and identify morphemes. The analysis also indicates an emerging understanding of how derivational prefixes and derivational suffixes influence word meaning and function. Overall, the study shows that explicit instruction in morphology focusing on derivation can enhance students’ morphological awareness, which in turn can support their ability to interpret new words and thereby improve reading comprehension (Apel & Werfel 2014)
Information practices for weeding : A qualitative study of criteria for weeding and processes in libraries
No full textProblemet som denna uppsats identifierat är att trots att det inte finns några enhetliga standarder för gallring vid bibliotek, så klarar bibliotekarierna att hantera sina gallringsprocesser. Syftet med uppsatsen är att beskriva och jämföra gallring vid olika typer av bibliotek och beskriva hur styrdokument och kriterier för gallring tillämpas i praktiken. Detta görs genom analys av fyra olika biblioteks styrdokument och genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med bibliotekarier vid dessa bibliotek. Resultaten visar det finns stora likheter när det gäller riktlinjer och hur de tillämpas i praktiken. Ofta hanterar bibliotekarierna flera kriterier parallellt och gör sammanvägda bedömningar. Vanligt förekommande kriterier är: skick, antal utlån och relevans. De intervjuade pekar på att gallring inte sällan nedprioriteras till förmån för andra uppgifter. Analysen visar hur gallringsprocesserna vid de undersökta biblioteken följer informationspraktikerna i Savolainen och Thomsons (2022) modell. Uppsatsens bidrag till befintlig forskning om gallring är att den dels redovisar en uppsättning gallringskriterier som tillämpas vid olika typer av bibliotek, dels beskriver och jämför hur gallringsprocessen ser ut i praktiken vid dessa bibliotek.The problem that this paper has identified is that different libraries use different weeding criteria, while there are no general standards that are in use and yet the librarians manage to successfully go through the weeding process. The purpose of this essay is to describe and compare weeding at different types of libraries and illustrate how guidelines and criteria for weeding are used by librarians in practice. This paper studies four libraries’ standards for weeding and through interviews with librarians at their libraries. The paper shows how similarities does exist when it comes to guidelines and how they are used in practice. Weeding is done according to routine and several criteria are managed at the same time. Commonly used criteria are condition, how often it is borrowed and relevancy. Those who have been interviewed point out that weeding is sometimes deprioritized in favor of more acute needs. The analysis shows that the process of weeding follows Savolainen and Thomson’s (2022) information-practice model. This paper’s contribution to existing weeding research is that it presents a set of criteria for weeding that are in use at different types of libraries, as well as describes and compares the process of weeding in practice at these libraries
"You can say sorry later" : Pupils’ perspectives on conflicts in the school-age educare
No full textThis essay explores how pupils’ reason about conflicts in school-age educare. It investigates how pupils describe conflicts and understand conflicts, their perceived causes, and the strategies they use to manage them. The study is grounded in childhood sociology and Szklarski’s (1996) categorization of conflict causes and resolution strategies. Previous research shows that children’s conflict resolution is influenced by adult involvement, peer power relations, and emotional expression on children’s handling of conflicts. The study is qualitative and based on 13 semi-structured interviews with 15 pupils in grade 3. The material was analyzed thematically, using quasi-quantitative elements to identify patterns. The findings show that pupils use various strategies to manage conflict, such as appealing to adults or reconciliation. Adults are often seen as important for resolving conflicts, although pupils also express ambivalence toward their involvement. Apologies are often used to mend relations but must be sincere and well timed to be accepted by others. The discussion links these findings to previous research and theoretical perspectives, showing that the views of the pupils on conflicts include social, emotional and ethical dimensions.Detta examensarbete undersöker hur elever resonerar om konflikter i fritidshemmet. Fokus ligger på hur de beskriver konflikter, vad de uppfattar som orsaker, samt vilka strategier de använder för att hantera dessa. Studien tar sin teoretiska utgångspunkt i barndomssociologi och Szklarskis (1996) kategoriseringar av konfliktorsaker och konfliktstrategier. Tidigare forskning visar att barns konflikthantering påverkas av vuxnas agerande, sociala maktrelationer barn emellan och barns känslouttryck. Studien är kvalitativ och bygger på 13 semistrukturerade intervjuer med 15 elever i årskurs 3. Det insamlade materialet analyserades tematiskt med inslag av kvasikvantitativ metod för att identifiera mönster. Resultatet visar att elever använder olika strategier för att hantera konflikter, exempelvis att söka stöd från vuxna eller försöka nå försoning. Vuxna ses ofta som viktiga, men eleverna uttrycker även viss ambivalens kring deras inblandning. Att be om ursäkt, framträder som en viktig strategi, men bara om det sker på ett genuint sätt och ges vid rätt tillfälle. I diskussionen sätts resultaten i relation till tidigare forskning och teori. Elevernas berättelser visar på att deras förståelse av konflikter i fritidshemmet omfattar både sociala, emotionella och etiska dimensioner
Relating metaphor syntax to metaphor features : An empirical approach
No full textThe study investigates the relationship between syntactic structure and metaphor features – quality, aptness, familiarity, and comprehensibility – using metaphorical expressions collected from Serbian poetry. Although metaphor research has traditionally focused on nominal forms like ‘A is B,’ this study explores more complex syntactic structures, and includes Subject + Predicate (SP), Subject + Predicate (Aux. + Nominal) (SCopP), Subject + Predicate + Object (SPO), and Subject + Predicate + Adverbial (SPA). The study involved 140 participants who rated 76 metaphorical expressions across the four metaphor features. Findings suggest that complex structures (SPO and SPA) scored higher in quality and aptness than simpler ones (SP and SCopP), challenging the predominance of nominal metaphors in research. However, simpler structures were rated as more familiar, potentially reflecting their syntactic simplicity. Comprehensibility was not influenced by syntactic complexity, likely due to participants’ linguistic proficiency. The results indicate that syntactic structure can affect metaphor perception and suggest that reliance on nominal forms in metaphor research may overlook the richness of more complex syntactic realisations. This study confirms the importance of considering syntax in metaphor research and highlights the potential for diverse syntactic patterns to enrich our understanding of metaphor processing and interpretation
Fri och styrd lek i fritidshemmet : En kvalitativ studie av fri och styrd leks roll för elevers lärande och konflikthantering
No full textThis study examines the significance of both free and structured play within after-school activities and how they contribute to children's learning and conlift management. Utilizing qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews with educators and observations of children's play, we investigate pedagogical strategies that support children's social development and negotiation skills. The findings reveal that free play allows children to naturally develop interpersonal skills and handle conflicts, while structured play provides educators with the opportunity to guide and mediate these interactions. Ultimately, both forms of play emerge as vital components in fostering an enriching learning environment that supports children's development
Utdelningstillväxt och ekonomisk styrka: Myt eller verklighet? : En kvantitativ analys av utdelningsbolag på OMX Stockholm PI
No full textSubject: Business Administration with specialization in finance - Bachelor thesis Purpose: The purpose of the study is to analyze the relationship between dividend growth and profit growth in dividend-based companies on the OMX Stockholm PI, as well as to analyze whether dividend growth correlates with other selected financial key figures. Theory: The study is based on two main theoretical frameworks concerning the relevance or irrelevance of dividends. Within the theory of dividend relevance, three underlying sub-theories are included, while the theory of irrelevance challenges these assumptions. The analysis also relates to five selected financial key ratios. Method: The study adopts an abductive approach, in which established theories and previous research are examined, while new data is generated and analyzed with the aim of investigating whether dividend growth exhibits a relationship with other financial key ratios.The analysis is conducted using four statistical models: two correlation analyses and two regression analyses. Empirics: The study analyzes a total of 100 dividend-based companies listed on the OMX Stockholm PI in 2025, over a period from 2020 to 2024. In total, 100 observations are included, with each company linked to five financial key ratios. The sample is analyzed both as a whole and sector-specific, to identify potential relationships between dividend growth and the other key ratios.Conclusion: The study demonstrates that dividend growth is a multifaceted phenomenon that cannot be explained by individual financial indicators alone. The results suggest that the relationship with earnings growth is statistically significant, but weak, and that sectoral variations play an important role. A composite model incorporating multiple variables provides a more accurate representation, highlighting the need for methodological breadth and a holistic perspective when analyzing dividend polic
Hur redovisat goodwillvärde beskrivs i svenska årsredovisningar : En dokumentanalys rörande svenska företags uppfyllande av upplysningskrav för redovisat goodwillvärde utifrån IFRS 3 och IAS 36 punkt 134
No full textEfter EUs obligatoriska tillämpning av IFRS år 2005 förändrades hur goodwill redovisas i svenska börsnoterade företag från ett system med avskrivningar till en metod baserad på enbart nedskrivningar. Med detta tillkom mer omfattande upplysningskrav gällande goodwillvärderingen. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur väl svenska börsnoterade företag uppfyller upplysningskraven i IAS 36 punkt 134, samt hur dessa upplysningar har utvecklats över tid. Studien består av en kvalitativt jämförande dokumentanalys där årsredovisningar från tio företag undersökts under sex utvalda år mellan 2005 och 2024. Företagen valdes ut efter störst omsättning av aktier på Stockholmsbörsen vid hämtningsdagen, samt att de följde studiens urvalskriterier, och därmed har ingen hänsyn tagits till bransch. Samtliga företag har för respektive år studerats utifrån en tabell baserad på upplysningskraven i IAS 36 punkt 134, där resultatet bestått i om berörda kriterier uppfyllts eller inte. Teorierna principal-agentteori och signaleringsteori används för att analysera hur företagsledningen kan ha olika incitament för att antingen öka eller minska transparensen i redovisningen. Resultaten visar på en betydande variation i efterlevnaden av upplysningskraven, vilket tyder på att företagsledningar utnyttjar det tolkningsutrymme standarden medger. Studien bidrar med insikter om behovet av förbättrad vägledning för att öka transparensen och minska informationsasymmetrin i redovisningen av goodwill. Following the mandatory implementation of IFRS in EU in 2005, the way goodwill is accounted for in Swedish listed companies shifted from an amortization-based approach to an impairment-only method. With the transition more extensive requirements for disclosure regarding goodwill valuation were added. The objective of this study is to examine the extent to which Swedish listed companies comply with the disclosure requirements outlined in IAS 36 paragraph 134, and how these disclosures have evolved over time. The study is based on a qualitative comparative document analysis where annual reports from ten companies were examined over six selected years between 2005 and 2024. The companies were chosen based on the highest trading volume on shares at the Stockholm Stock Exchange by the day of the retrieval, together with accordance with the selection criteria for the paper, and therefore no regard was taken to industry. Each company has been studied using a checklist based on the disclosure requirements in IAS 36 paragraph 134 for each selected year, where the results indicate whether the concerned criteria is fulfilled or not. The theories principal-agent theory and signalling theory are applied to analyse how management of the company may have varying incentives to either increase or reduce the transparency in the financial reporting. The findings indicate significant variation in the compliance with the disclosure requirements, suggesting that the corporate management make use of the interpretive flexibility the standard allows. The study contributes with insights about the need for improved guidance to enhance transparency and decrease the information asymmetry in the accounting of goodwill
Kapitalstrukturens utveckling under ekonomisk kris : En kvantitativ studie av börsnoterade fastighetsbolag i Sverige
No full textBakgrund: Covid-19-pandemin och kriget i Ukraina har skapat stor osäkerhet på de finansiella marknaderna. Fastighetsbranschen är särskilt utsatt i sådana lägen, eftersom den kännetecknas av hög skuldsättning och kapitalintensiva investeringar. Hur kriserna påverkat kapitalstrukturen i svenska fastighetsbolag har hittills varit otillräckligt utforskat. Syfte: Studiens syfte är att beskriva och analysera hur kapitalstrukturen i svenska börsnoterade fastighetsbolag har förändrats under perioden 2019-2023. Studien analyserar även skillnader mellan företag i olika börslistor: small cap, mid cap och large cap. Metod: En kvantitativ forskningsansats tillämpades. Data samlades in från årsredovisningar och finansiella databaser och analyserades med hjälp av deskriptiv statistik, tvåvägs variansanalys (ANOVA), chi-två-test och post hoc-test. De nyckeltal och faktorer som studerades var skuldsättningsgrad, belåningsgrad, soliditet, skuldränta och nyemission. Teori: Studien utgår från två centrala teorier inom kapitalstruktur: Trade off- och Pecking order-teorin. Teorierna används för att tolka och skapa förståelse, samt att jämföra med tidigare forskning. Slutsats: Kapitalstrukturen har varit stabil under perioden, trots ökad finansiell osäkerhet. Resultatet visar att företagsstorlek har haft större effekter än externa kriser. Mindre företag har högre skuldsättning och lägre soliditet. Nyemissioner används främst av mid-cap företag, men hade ingen generell ökning trots stigande räntor. Resultatet ger stöd för att interna faktorer har större betydelse för kapitalstrukturen än externa, vilket stämmer med de valda teoriernas antaganden.Background: The COVID-19-pandemic and the war in Ukraine have created significant uncertainty in financial markets. The real estate sector is particularly vulnerable in such situations due to its high levels of debt and capital-intensive investments. How these crises have affected the capital structure of Swedish real estate companies has so far been insufficiently explored. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze how the capital structure of Swedish publicly listed real estate companies has changed during the period 2019-2023. The study also analyzes differences between companies listed on different market segments: small cap, mid cap, and large cap. Method: A quantitative research approach was applied. Data were collected from annual reports and financial databases and analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square tests and post hoc tests. The key figures and factors studied were debt ratio, loan-to-value ratio, equity ratio, interest rate on debt and new share issues. Theory: The study is based on two central theories of capital structure: the trade off-theory and the pecking order theory. These theories were used to interpret the findings, support the analysis and compare with previous research. Conclusion: The capital structure has remained stable during the period, despite increased financial uncertainty. The results show that firm size has had a greater effect than external crises. Smaller companies have higher debt levels and lower equity ratios. Share issues were primarily used by mid-cap firms, but there was no general increase despite rising interest rates. The findings support the notion that internal factors have a greater influence on capital structure than external ones, which aligns with the assumptions of the selected theories
Fintech vs Bank : En kvantitativ analys av volatilitet och risk på den svenska aktiemarknaden
No full textThis study examines differences in volatility between fintech stocks and traditional bank stocks on the Swedish stock market, with a particular focus on the period from 2023 to 2025. The background of the research is grounded in the increasing relevance of technology-driven financial actors commonly referred to as fintech companies and their impact on established financial institutions. While the fintech sector has experienced substantial growth over the past decade, it is also characterized by uncertainty in valuation and long-term stability. Against this backdrop, the study aims to explore how volatility differs between these two stock categories and which factors significantly influence such differences. The analysis is based on three foundational theories in financial economics, the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). Together, these frameworks allow for a theoretically grounded examination of the relationship between risk, information, return, and market efficiency. A quantitative research design was applied, including a purposive sample of 25 fintech companies and five major banks listed on Nasdaq and Nordic Growth Market SME. Data was collected for the period April 15, 2023, to April 11, 2025, and includes key variables such as volatility, P/E ratio, beta, return, market capitalization, and trading volume. The results show that, on average, volatility is higher for traditional bank stocks than for fintech stocks, which can partly be explained by differences in how trading volume and market capitalization affect price movements within each sector. Several independent variables exhibit significant correlations with volatility according to the regression analysis, with the interaction between trading volume and market capitalization appearing particularly noteworthy. The study shows that volatility in the financial sector is driven more by the interaction of financial metrics with firms’ structural characteristics than by industry affiliation alone. Theoretically, the study contributes by applying established financial models in a context where new actors are reshaping market structures. From a practical perspective, the findings are relevant for portfolio managers, investors, and analysts seeking to understand the risk profile of fintech stocks compared to bank stocks in a Swedish context. The results may support more informed investment decisions, particularly in times of market uncertainty and rapid technological change. Future research should consider the application of alternative modeling approaches and non-linear relationships to deepen the understanding of volatility drivers.Studien undersöker skillnader i volatilitet mellan fintechaktier och traditionella storbanksaktier på den svenska aktiemarknaden, med särskilt fokus på perioden 2023–2025. Bakgrunden till arbetet utgår från den ökade betydelsen av teknologidrivna finansiella aktörer, även benämnt fintechbolag och deras påverkan på etablerade finansinstitutioner. Fintechsektorn har under det senaste decenniet vuxit kraftigt, samtidigt kännetecknas den av osäkerhet kring värdering och långsiktig stabilitet. Mot denna bakgrund är det viktigt att undersöka hur volatiliteten skiljer sig mellan dessa två aktietyper och vilka faktorer som påverkar dessa skillnader. Analysen bygger på de tre etablerade teorierna inom finansiell ekonomi, Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) och Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). Detta ramverk möjliggör en teoretiskt förankrad analys av relationen mellan risk, information, avkastning och marknadseffektivitet. Studien bygger på en kvantitativ forskningsdesign med ett målinriktat urval av 25 fintechbolag och fem storbanker noterade på Nasdaq samt Nordic Growth Market SME. Data har samlats in för perioden 15 april 2023 till 11 april 2025 och inkluderar nyckelvariabler likt volatilitet, P/E-tal, beta, avkastning, marknadsvärde och handelsvolym. Resultatet visar att volatiliteten i genomsnitt är högre för traditionella storbanksaktier än för fintechaktier, vilket delvis kan förklaras av skillnader i hur handelsvolym och marknadsvärde påverkar prisrörelser inom respektive sektor. Flera av de oberoende variablerna uppvisar signifikanta samband med volatilitet enligt regressionsanalysen, där samspelet mellan handelsvolym och marknadsvärde framstår som särskilt anmärkningsvärt. Studien visar att volatilitet i finanssektorn drivs av hur finansiella nyckeltal samverkar med företagens strukturella egenskaper snarare än av branschtillhörighet i sig. Studien bidrar teoretiskt genom att tillämpa klassiska finansiella teorier i en kontext där nya aktörer omformar marknadslogiken. Ur ett praktiskt perspektiv riktar sig studien till portföljförvaltare, investerare och analytiker som vill förstå riskprofilen i fintechaktier jämfört med traditionella storbanksaktier i ett svenskt sammanhang. Resultatet kan ligga till grund för ett mer välinformerat investeringsbeslut, särskilt i tider av marknadsoro och en snabb teknologisk förändring. Vidare forskning bör inkludera alternativa forskningmodeller och icke-linjära samband för att fördjupa förståelsen av drivkraften bakom volatiliteten.