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Circularity Readiness Assessment of Product Value Chain in the Aerospace Industry
No full textThis thesis presents the development of a circularity readiness assessment tool tailored
to the value chain of the aerospace industry. The tool, named ENGREEN
CRA, helps companies identify gaps, assess improvement areas, and promote collaboration
across the value chain. "Circularity readiness of the value chain" is defined
as the psychological and structural preparedness of a company’s value chain to
adopt circular economy principles. A comprehensive review of 30 existing tools led
to the identification of eight critical areas that shaped the framework, with a focus
on scope, interface, and objectives. Furthermore, two essential dimensions: “Regulatory
& Compliance Readiness” and “Performance Measurement" were recognised
through an analysis of the context in one of the case companies. The tool underwent
validation through expert interviews and was tested in two case companies: GKN
Aerospace and SAAB AB. This test included individual and group assessments,
revealing insights on the usability and effectiveness of the tool in supporting organisational
reflection. The tool enables internal evaluations without requiring sensitive
data and can be used to map readiness between value chain partners. The results
highlighted “Organisational Readiness” as a key enabler and identified weak areas
in “Procurement and Supply Chain”. The tool offers a practical platform to support
strategic alignment and collaboration in the circularity transition of the aerospace
sector
Simulation and analysis of planet impact parameters and their role on planetary configurations
No full textSecure Password-less Authentication
No full textIn the rapidly advancing era of digitization, traditional password-based authentication systems are becoming insufficient to secure online services. The use of weak passwords introduces various vulnerabilities including brute-force attacks, credential theft, and phishing. Moreover, the usage of complex passwords is not user-friendly and leads the user to reuse the same password across multiple services. The adoption of biometric authentication systems, especially facial recognition-based ones, is becoming more common in handheld devices like mobile phones and laptops. However, it remains limited in online services due to several security challenges, such as spoofing, privacy concerns regarding user data embeddings, and the reliability of securing sensitive information. These challenges underscore the need for more robust and user-friendly authentication solutions to protect sensitive data. This thesis aims to design and develop a multi-factor authentication system inspired by FIDO2 standard. by combining facial recognition, Dynamic One-Time passwords alongside FIDO2 standard which utilize a standard USB stick for secure public-key cryptography. This study evaluates the performance and the overall security of the proposed system. The prototype developed in this thesis is secure against several attacks, including brute-force attacks, phishing, human negligence, and SQL injection. That said, it still has some limitations due to the lack of necessary hardware. For example, the prototype remains insecure against spoofing attacks and can be easily cracked due to the absence of a camera capable of processing the depth of the face in the current frame to detect liveness. Despite the limitations caused by hardware constraints, the findings highlight the potential of the proposed prototype to be a secure authentication system. Future work could focus on integrating more advanced hardware to overcome these challenges, making the system a viable solution for secure and scalable authentication in real-world applications
Rewoven realities; transforming textile waste into an interactive narrative experience
No full text“Rewoven Realities” explores the potential of transforming textile waste into an architectural
installation, challenging conventional perceptions of discarded materials. The project investigates how
textiles, often seen as soft, secondary, and disposable, can be reframed as spatial components with
architectural, sensory, and structural potential. By integrating principles of circularity, sustainability,
and material-driven design, this research examines how repurposed textiles can create environments
that engage visitors beyond the visual—through tactility, light filtration, and acoustic properties.
The methodology follows a material-driven design approach, where the available textile waste
shapes the form of the installation. Through experimentation with textile techniques and full-scale
prototyping, the study explores how the fabric can transition from waste to something meaningful.
The research also incorporates social engagement, involving individuals and companies in the material
collection process, encouraging broader discussions on waste cycles, material responsibility, and
participatory design in architecture.
By showing how textile waste can be reused and adapted, this project questions linear consumption
patterns. It also challenges the architectural tradition of valuing permanence over flexibility. The
installation serves as both an experiential space and a material investigation, exploring the role of
soft, adaptable, and reconfigurable elements in spatial design. It contributes to discussions on how
discarded materials can inform new architectural narratives, circular design methodologies, and an
expanded understanding of materiality in architectur
From Competence to Competitive Advantage Transferring Strategic Capabilities for Quality and Excellence in Nordic Manufacturing and Warranty Services
No full textEstablished research on capabilities and competitive advantages consists mainly in
evaluating a capability in its current capacity, even when future predictions of a
sustainable advantage are in focus. Connections to capability transfer are generally
in the direction that effective knowledge transfer results in, or supports, a competitive advantage or a strategic knowledge resource. This thesis examined the
reverse relationship of how competitiveness and availability of resources could influence the transfer process of an organization looking to move a strategic capability
into warranty operations. This was done through four research objectives: (1) Assessing the competitive environment; (2) Identifying barriers to capability transfer;
(3) Selection of a recipient site; and (4) Transfer process and training. Specifically
the study aimed to fulfill these objectives within the scope of a multinational cor poration (MNC) transferring a capability into warranty operations. The chosen
method of accomplishing the objectives was through an qualitative, ethnographic
case study of abductive nature, studying Alstom Rail, a rolling stock manufacturer
with Nordics warranty operations. The study found that the warranty industry
only regards quality up until a certain point after which additional performance is
excessive but instead requires a broader profile of the capability to be transferred
from serial production. Key barriers to the transfer included lack of motivation of
the staff, financial incentives to resist warranty work, and lack of ownership and rep resentation in the organization. The findings indicated that the capability transfer
process should dynamically adjust itself so that the transferred capability fits the
competitive scope of the warranty industry and align with available resources. Ad ditionally, the study introduces the concept of resource-based barriers to capability
transfer, which was specifically found related to facility conditions. The results of
the study contributes to the scientific field of research on warranty industries by
applying established theory in a new context and suggest new concepts or resource
barriers in capability transfer processes. This highlights a need for future research
to differentiate resource barriers from competitive misalignment, division of resource
barriers and evaluating the organizational implications from actively managing the
transfer process
Exploring Automation Potential: A Case Study of Volvo Penta’s Warehouse Operations
No full textThis thesis investigates the feasibility and strategic implications of automating order picking
operations at Volvo Penta’s Distribution Centre (VPDC) in Vara, Sweden, within the scope of
the company’s VPDC 2.0 development initiative. The focus lies on evaluating four candidate
automation technologies, vertical lift modules (VLM), vertical Carousels, horizontal
Carousels, and mini-load systems, against the current manual picking solution. These options
are assessed across seven performance aspects: throughput, cost, quality, space utilisation,
scalability, flexibility, and ergonomics.
To support the evaluation, a multi-method research approach was adopted. This included a
literature review, time studies, site visits, historical order data analysis, and unstructured
interviews with different stakeholders at various levels within Volvo Penta. The Analytical
Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to rank the importance of each performance aspect
and to compare the suitability of each order picking system based on those performance
aspects. Interview insights played a central role in defining criteria relevance. In addition, an
association and cluster analysis of historical order data was performed to identify co-picked
stock keeping units (SKU) clusters, supporting a data-driven approach to warehouse layout
optimisation.
The results reveal that flexibility is the most valued performance aspect at VPDC, followed
by quality, scalability, and cost. Although the VLM solution ranked marginally higher overall
than the current manual operations, each system excelled in different areas. The findings
suggest that a hybrid setup, integrating VLMs for selected high-runner SKU clusters while
retaining manual operations for irregular items, may offer the optimal balance of efficiency
and adaptability. Key success factors include staged implementation, clear project ownership,
super-user training, and risk mitigation through pilot testing and temporary safety stock.
Overall, the study demonstrates that automation, when aligned with data insights and
operational context, can significantly enhance warehouse performance
En cirkulär möbelindustri Hur uppfattar kunder i den offentliga sektorn cirkulära möbler?
No full textI takt med ett växande samhälle där konsumtion premieras allt mer ökar även pressen på en
omställning. Idag släpps 150 000 ton koldioxid ut under tillverkningsprocessen av
kontorsmöbler. Möbler byts ut frekvent trots en egentlig längre teknisk livslängd, anledningen
till detta är kortlivade trender, förändring av behov, att möblerna är trasiga, eller att man
tröttnar på dem. Detta leder till ett ohållbart konsumtionsmönster som inte bara tar skada på
miljön, utan även äventyrar framtida generationers tillgång till nödvändiga resurser. För att
åtgärda detta krävs en övergång till en cirkulär ekonomi, där resurser hålls inom kretsloppet
och produkter återanvänds fler än en gång. Detta är en komplex process och det behövs mer
forskning inom detta område. I denna rapport undersöks hur kunder i den offentliga sektorn
uppfattar cirkulära möbler, vilka krav som ställs på dessa möbler och vad som förhindrar en
omställning från en linjär- till en cirkulär ekonomi. Slutligen undersöks frågan kring vad
regioner kan göra för att kunna övergå från en mer cirkulär möbelhantering. För att besvara
dessa frågeställningar användes en kvalitativ metod, där datainsamlingen skedde genom en
litteratursökning, observation och intervjuer med regioner.
Undersökningen kom fram till att de flesta personerna inom regionerna är positivt inställda till
en cirkulär möbelhantering och att kraven som ställs på cirkulära möbler är generellt sett
likadana som på nytillverkade. Det finns däremot flera hinder som försvårar omställningen,
bland annat brist på struktur och ledningsbeslut, okunskap, begränsat utbud, resursbrist, och
hårda regelverk. Det som behövs för att överkomma dessa hinder är att det kommer ett beslut
om förändring uppifrån inom organisationen, det behövs mer kunskap kring området, samt att
bygga upp en organisationsstruktur och kultur som stödjer den cirkulära möbelhanteringen.
Utöver detta behövs även en ansvarig person, en facilitator, som kan driva förändringsarbetet
och konsolidera besluten i organisationens dagliga aktivitet
Ego-Motion and Road Attitude Estimation Using Ground Speed Radars and an IMU
No full textAbstract
Accurate ego-motion estimation is essential for autonomous and assisted driving in heavy-duty vehicles. This task becomes particularly challenging in scenarios where traditional sensors, such as wheel speed encoders, are unreliable. Additionally, a good understanding of the road characteristics, such as slope, is critical to ensure safe and efficient vehicle operation. This thesis addresses the mentioned challenges through a method that fuses measurements from ground-speed radars and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The proposed method jointly estimates vehicle motion and road attitude, while accounting for issues such as IMU bias and multirate sensor data. The main contributions of this thesis are the estimation of road slope angle and a method for estimating IMU accelerometer biases. The road slope is estimated through pseudo-measurements derived from the vehicle’s translational velocity. Meanwhile,
the IMU accelerometer biases are estimated by employing a tilted IMU configuration. This setup enhances the observability of the biases, leading to improved filter convergence and estimation accuracy during typical driving maneuvers. The proposed method is evaluated using simulated data generated with IPG Truck- Maker (TM), a high-fidelity simulation environment that enables controlled, repeatable experiments across diverse driving scenarios. A Monte Carlo (MC) analysis is performed using multiple sensor configurations, allowing statistical assessment of system consistency and robustness. The results demonstrate that the filter reliably estimates vehicle velocity, attitude, and the road slope angle despite the presence of sensor noise and bias. These findings support the effectiveness of using a minimal radar setup in combination with a tilted IMU to enable robust and accurate egomotion
estimation in heavy-duty vehicle applications
Digital Disconnect: Navigating leadership in hybrid work environments: A case study exploring leadership challenges in remote and hybrid teams within project-based organisations
No full textRemote or hybrid work has become increasingly popular in recent years, mainly driven
by the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and technical advancements. The
construction industry, traditionally reliant on physical presence, is among the sectors
significantly affected by this shift. This poses new challenges for leadership,
particularly in areas such as communication, motivation, and conflict resolution. This
study investigates how such challenges manifest in a large, project-based construction
organisation and explores how leadership can adapt to mitigate them. A specific focus
has been put on how certain complex challenges emerge in a hybrid work environment.
Feedback practices, performance monitoring, and conflict resolution were identified as
examples of these that were particularly relevant to this research. The research
conducted in this thesis is based on a mixed-method approach, consistent of a case
study at a Scandinavian construction company that included 23 semi-structured
interviews and a survey with 45 respondents. The findings underscore the importance
of setting clear expectations, maintaining consistent and transparent communication,
and establishing boundaries to ensure effective leadership in remote or hybrid settings.
Many of the participant emphasise the continued need for social interaction and
trusting relationships, in spite of the physical distances. Both for continued engagement
in teams and for overall wellbeing and a functioning work-life balance. The study
concludes that successful remote leadership demands a conscious, flexible approach
that is supported by digital tools, regular routines, and individualised strategies.
Finally, some practical recommendations are presented, based on participant input and
literature findings, to support leadership development in project-based organisations,
working in a hybrid environment
naturum Härön; a contemporary architectural anchoring of Bohuslän’s typology
No full textArchitecture creates a dialogue between nature and culture, where understanding
and interpreting the site is fundamental. Through this interplay,
contemporary architecture can strengthen a place’s identity, interact with
nature and communicate its history. This involves identifying characteristic
elements both in building typologies and traditions as well as in the landscape
and local climate.
The site explored in this thesis is located on the island of Härön, just off the
coast of Tjörn in Bohuslän, Sweden. The majority of Härön is protected as
a nature reserve. The aim of this master’s thesis was to apply theories on
how architecture can be rooted in place in a contemporary manner and to
translate this into a design proposal for a Naturum, a visitor center for the
nature reserve, including a separate kayak shelter. Central to the design is
the exposure of timber framing, a traditional local timber technique historically
used for barns (magasin). By anchoring the architecture in the site’s
history and building traditions, the thesis presents a proposal that communicates
knowledge about the area’s culture and nature, while also reflecting
a conscious approach to climate awareness through its function, material
choices and contextual adaptation.
The work was divided into two stages: research for design and research by
design. The first phase focused on theory-based research, where Critical
Regionalism and Genius Loci formed the foundation for an in-depth site
analysis and the identification of Härön’s identity. These theories also influenced
the multiple site visits conducted on the island. To further understand
the design and function of Naturum, site visits were made to existing Naturum
buildings, and interviews were conducted with field specialists. Based
on this theoretical foundation, an iterative design proposal was developed.
With a strong connection to place and history, the goal was to explore the
balance between past and present. Architecture that respected its natural
surroundings, both through its design and function as a Naturum. Anchored
in the local context, the project was discussed in terms of how it contributes
to strengthening the site’s identity and bridging history with the present. The
thesis contributes to a broader dialogue on how contemporary architecture
can connect to history without becoming nostalgic