Publikationer från Mälardalens högskola
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Barn, Färg Och Rumslig Förståelse. : En studie om hur färg kan forma barns förståelse av olika aktiviteter i pedagogiska miljöer.
No full textDetta examensarbete undersöker hur färg kan fungera som ett kommunikativt verktyg i förskolemiljöer för att tydliggöra rummets funktion och stödja barnens förståelse för vilka aktiviteter som kan utföras där. Studien fokuserar särskilt på förskolebarn i åldern 5–6 år och deras upplevelser av färgkodade zoner i en förskolemiljö. För att fånga barnens perspektiv användes kvalitativa metoder såsom observation, bildstödsintervjuer och prototyparbete med kapamodeller. Därutöver genomfördes intervjuer med pedagoger i syfte att erhålla kompletterande insikter om verksamheten.Resultaten visar att barnen kopplar färger till känslor, aktiviteter och specifika rum. De uttrycker uppskattning för färgstarka miljöer, men betonar samtidigt behovet av visuell balans, särskilt i större utrymmen med många intryck.Studien visar att barn har en stark medvetenhet om sin fysiska omgivning och bör i högre grad involveras vid utformningen av pedagogiska rum. Genomtänkt färganvändning kan därmed bidra till ökad självständighet, trygghet och kreativitet i förskolans vardag. Utifrån dessa insikter utvecklades ett designförslag där färg, form och skala har stått i fokus med målet att skapa en funktionell och estetiskt tilltalande miljö, anpassad efter barnens perspektiv. This thesis explores how color can function as a communicative tool in preschool environments to clarify the purpose of different spaces and support children's understanding of which activities can take place there. The study focuses on preschool children aged 5–6 and their experiences of color-coded zones within a preschool environment. To capture the children's perspectives, qualitative methods such as observation, image-supported interviews, and prototype work with kapa models were used. In addition, interviews with educators were conducted to gain complementary insights into the daily activities.The results show that children associate colors with emotions, activities, and specific rooms. While they appreciate colorful environments, they also emphasize the importance of visual balance, especially in larger rooms with many sensory impressions.The study demonstrates that children possess a strong awareness of their physical surroundings and should be more actively involved in shaping educational environments. A carefully considered use of color can contribute to increased independence, security, and creativity in everyday preschool life.Based on these insights, a design proposal was developed, focusing on color, form, and scale to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment adapted to the children's perspective.
Exploring Identity, Language, and Maternal Influence in Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime: Thematic Insights from Vignettes and Chapters
No full textFor decades, South Africa suffered from segregation laws that favored white people, leading to significant hardships for the indigenous people. The memoir Born a Crime by comedian Trevor Noah is a memoir that highlights the challenges he and the people of South Africa faced during and after apartheid. Here, Noah tells the story of his birth. Under apartheid laws in the country, it was a crime for native people to have intimate relationships with Europeans. This is what happened to Noah, who was born to a black mother and a white father, which is why he chose Born a Crime as the title for this book. In this analysis, I explore selected vignettes from the book, categorizing and analysing key themes such as the role of language in shaping identity, the significant influence of Noah's mother on his life, and the impact of apartheid and racism in South Africa. I argue that Noah, through vignettes categorized into main themes, reveals how he navigates the challenges of his environment and offers insights into growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. By blending historical realities with personal experiences, these themes contribute to a deeper understanding of Noah's identity. Additionally, I will examine how these vignettes connect to their respective chapters
What Challenges and Opportunities Are Identified in the Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in B2B and B2C Companies? : A Qualitative Comparative Study on How the Implementation of AI Can Generate Value for Companies.
No full textAbstract Date: 2025-06-03 Level: Bachelor thesis in Business Administration, 15cr Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalens University Authors: Sofia Rosengren Borg (98/01/31), Emma Fasth (01/07/20), Santina Lövstrand (01/08/05) Title: What Challenges and Opportunities Are Identified in the Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in B2B and B2C Companies? A Qualitative Comparative Study on How the Implementation of AI Can Generate Value for Companies. Supervisor: Edward Gillmore Keywords: Digitalization, Digital Transformation, Implementation of AI, B2B & B2C Research questions: What opportunities and challenges arise in the implementation of AI within B2B and B2C companies? How can AI generate value for companies focused on B2B and B2C? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the opportunities and challenges that arise during the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) within organizations. Additionally, the study aims to compare the differences and similarities in how AI is adopted and utilized in business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) companies. Method: An abductive approach combined with a qualitative research method was used to answer the research questions. Empirical data was collected through eight semi-structured interviews – four with respondents from a B2B company and four from a B2C company. All respondents have been involved in the implementation of artificial intelligence within their respective organizations. Conclusion: The study concludes that AI holds significant potential to improve efficiency and productivity in both B2B and B2C contexts. However the differences in trust, implementation depth, and leadership engagement influence the adoption process. Realizing the full value of AI requires education, support, and a clear strategy that encourages experimentation and organizational learning
From emergency solution to long-term strategy: A study on digitalization in the Västerås restaurant industry : A qualitative study on the restaurant industry's strategic digital changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the long-term survival of digital technology
No full textSyfte: Studien syftar till att undersöka hur restauranger inom kategorin casual dining i Västerås strategiskt har arbetat med digital teknik före, under och efter COVID-19 pandemin för att se vilka digitala lösningar som kvarstått långsiktigt. Studien syftar även till att skapa förståelse kring vilka strategiska och upplevda värderelaterade faktorer som påverkat beslut att behålla eller avveckla digitala lösningar efter pandemin. Metod: Studien har en kvalitativ forskningsdesign och bygger på semistrukturerade intervjuer med beslutsfattare på casual dining restauranger i Västerås. Totalt genomfördes åtta intervjuer under våren 2025. Studiens teoretiska ramverk består av Burnetts krishanteringsmodell för krishantering samt Service-Dominant Logic som använts som stöd vid analys av den insamlade empirin. Slutsats: Restauranger inom casual dining i Västerås visade varierande digital mognad före pandemin. De accelererade sina satsningar under COVID-19 och behöll efteråt endast lösningar som skapar tydligt värde. Kvar är främst QR-kodsmenyer och digital betalning som effektiviserar drift och kundflöde utan att försämra kundupplevelsen, medan OFD-plattformar skalats ned. Sammanfattningsvis synliggörs hur teknikens långsiktiga roll formas av balans mellan krisrespons, strategisk nytta och upplevt värde för restauranger och kunder.Purpose: The study aims to investigate how restaurants in the casual dining category in Västerås have strategically worked with digital technology before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to see which digital solutions have remained in the long term. The study also aims to create an understanding of which strategic and perceived value-related factors have influenced decisions to retain or discontinue digital solutions after the pandemic. Method: The study has a qualitative research design and is based on semi-structured interviews with decision-makers at casual dining restaurants in Västerås. A total of eight interviews were conducted in the spring of 2025. The study's theoretical framework consists of Burnett's crisis management model for crisis management and Service-Dominant Logic, which was used to support the analysis of the collected empirical data. Conclusion: Restaurants in the casual dining category in Västerås showed varying levels of digital maturity before the pandemic. They accelerated their efforts during COVID-19 and afterwards only retained solutions that create clear value. What remains are mainly QR code menus and digital payment that streamline operations and customer flow without impairing the customer experience, while OFD platforms have been scaled down. In summary, it is made clear how the long-term role of technology is shaped by the balance between crisis response, strategic benefit and perceived value for restaurants and customers
TikTok, appearance anxiety and material pursuits : A qualitative study on how the growing platform affects appearance anxiety and consumer behavior in young women.
No full textDate: 2025-06-04 Level:Bachelor thesis in Business Administration, 15 cr Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University Authors:Ronja Ahlberg & Tuva Cedergren Titel:TikTok, Appearance Anxiety, and Material Aspiration – A Qualitative Study on How the Growing Platform Influences Young Women's Self-Image and Consumption Behavior Supervisor: Robin Bankel Research questions: How does TikTok content – in the form of trends, influencers, and algorithms – influence young women's consumption behavior within the beauty industry? Do young women perceive that TikTok contributes to appearance anxiety, material aspiration, and consumption pressure? Purpose:The purpose of this study is to investigate how young women aged 15–25 perceive that TikTok content influences their beauty ideals, mental well-being, and purchasing behavior. The study aims to provide a deeper understanding of how trends, influencers, and the platform’s algorithm affect users’ self-image and consumption patterns. Method: Qualitative method through semi-structured interviews with 10 young women, followed by thematic analysis. Conclusion:The study shows that TikTok has a significant impact on young women’s self-image, mental health, and consumption habits. Contrary to the initial assumption that influencers were the primary factor influencing young women, the results indicate that the algorithm plays a more central role. The repeated exposure to beauty-related content through algorithmic selection contributes to increased appearance anxiety and a stronger drive for consumption. Thus, TikTok functions not only as an entertainment platform but also as a powerful agent in shaping ideals and driving consumption among young users
Go with the flow or protect the climate? : A quantitative study on social influence, digital fashion trends, and FOMO as drivers behind the attitude–behavior gap in young adults' fast fashion consumption.
No full textStudiens syfte är att undersöka om sociala faktorer som socialt tryck, digitala modetrender och FOMO bidrar till förstärkning av attityd-beteende-gapet hos unga vuxna när det kommer till köpbeteende inom fast fashion och hållbarhetsvärderingar. Studien utgår från en deduktiv forskningsansats med kvantitativ metod. Empirisk data har samlats in med hjälp av Microsoft Forms, där 132 enkätsvar samlades in och analyserades med hjälp av SPSS Statistics. Studiens resultat påvisar att de undersökta faktorerna som FOMO, socialt inflytande och digitala modetrender har en inverkan på unga vuxnas hållbarhetsattityder, vilket leder till ett förstärkt attityd-beteende-gap. Påverkansgraden varierar mellan faktorerna, där FOMO och digitala modetrender influerar mest. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether social factors such as social pressure, digital fashion trends and FOMO contribute to the strengthening of the attitude-behavior gap in young adults when it comes to purchasing behavior in fast fashion and sustainability values. The study is based on a deductive research approach with a quantitative method. Empirical data has been collected using Microsoft Forms, where 132 survey responses were collected and analyzed using SPSS Statistics. The results of the study show that the investigated factors such as FOMO, social influence and digital fashion trends have an impact on young adults' sustainability attitudes, which leads to a strengthened attitude-behavior gap. The degree of influence varies between the factors, with FOMO and digital fashion trends having the greatest influence
The impact of digital communication on the work environment of the HR department : A qualitative study of HR department experiences and relationships
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how HR professionals perceive that digital communication affects their psychosocial work environment. The focus lies on HR employees’ own experiences of how digital tools influence stress levels, sense of control, access to social support, and the feeling of belonging in their daily work. Theoretical framework: The study is based on theories of demands, control and support, as well as the concept of emotional labor. These perspectives are used to analyze how digitalization affects both work tasks and the relationships in which HR professionals are involved. Method: The empirical data is based on ten semi-structured interviews with HR professionals from both public and private sectors. A purposive sampling strategy was used to capture insights from individuals with practical experience of HR work under digital conditions. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns in the participants' narratives. Results: The findings show that digital communication has introduced new conditions for HR work. Several respondents report increased stress linked to constant availability and blurred boundaries between work and private life. At the same time, a reduction in spontaneous interaction and social presence is observed, which affects relationships, job satisfaction, and interpersonal dynamics. Many participants describe feeling more isolated, despite being continuously connected. Emotional labor is perceived as more demanding in digital meetings, where it is harder to interpret emotions and needs. However, several participants also highlight the potential of digital tools to create flexibility, structure, and more individualized working conditions provided that adequate support, routines and leadership are in place. The study concludes that HR professionals are affected in dual ways: they must manage their own work environment in a digital context while also supporting others in similar situations. This underscores the need for long-term strategies to strengthen the psychosocial work environment in increasingly digitalized workplaces. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur HR-personal upplever att digital kommunikation påverkar deras psykosociala arbetsmiljö. Fokus ligger på HR-medarbetares egna erfarenheter av hur digitala verktyg påverkar stressnivån, känslan av kontroll, tillgång till socialt stöd och upplevelsen av tillhörighet i det dagliga arbetet. Teori: Studien utgår från teorier om krav, kontroll och stöd samt begreppet emotionellt arbete. Dessa teorier används för att analysera hur digitalisering påverkar både arbetsuppgifter och de relationer som HR-personal är en del av. Metod: Datainsamlingen bygger på tio semistrukturerade intervjuer med HR-personal från både offentlig och privat sektor. Urvalet har varit målinriktat för att fånga erfarenheter från personer med praktisk insyn i HR-arbete under digitala förutsättningar. Intervjuerna har analyserats med tematisk analys för att identifiera återkommande mönster i deltagarnas berättelser. Resultat: Resultatet visar att digital kommunikation har skapat nya villkor för HR-arbetet. Flera respondenter upplever ökad stress kopplad till ständig tillgänglighet och gränslöst arbete. Samtidigt ses en minskning av spontan interaktion och närvaro, vilket påverkar relationer, arbetsglädje och det sociala samspelet. Många uttrycker en känsla av att arbeta mer ensamma, trots ständig uppkoppling. Det emotionella arbetet upplevs som mer krävande i digitala möten, där det är svårare att tolka känslor och behov. Samtidigt pekar flera på att digitala verktyg kan skapa flexibilitet, struktur och möjlighet till mer individanpassat arbete under förutsättning att rätt stöd, rutiner och ledarskap finns. Studien visar att HR-personal påverkas dubbelt: de förväntas både hantera sin egen arbetsmiljö i en digital vardag, och samtidigt stötta andra i liknande situationer. Det tydliggör behovet av långsiktiga strategier för att stärka den psykosociala arbetsmiljön i digitala kontexter
From Sweden to the World: Leadership Journey through Cultural Landscapes : A qualitative study of leadership styles in national and organizational cultures
No full textDate: [2025-06-04] Level: Bachelor thesis in Business Administration, 15 cr Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University Authors: Marcel Cevik Anton Höglund Kamilla Jurabaeva (01/02/28) (01/03/24) (00/11/10) Title: From Sweden to the World: The Journey of Leadership through Cultural Landscapes Supervisor: Jan Karlsson Keywords: Leadership, culture, consensus, Hofstede’s cultural dimension theory, organization Research questions: How do national and organizational cultures influence leadership styles in multinational companies? How do employees perceive differences in leadership styles between Sweden and other countries they have worked in, and what factors do they believe influence these differences? Purpose: The main purpose of the study is to understand how leadership differs across various national and organizational cultures, with a particular focus on and starting point in how these are viewed in relation to the Swedish leadership style. The work aims to provide an understanding of how leadership theory functions in practice and how it can be used to enhance the effectiveness of international leadership in a country other than one's own. Method: This study employed a qualitative method for both data collection and data analysis. Empirical data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study is based on an inductive research approach. The empirical material is drawn from ten interviews with employees who all have experience working in Sweden and at least one other country. Conclusion: The study has found that national and organizational cultures significantly influence leadership styles. Culture, for example, can affect the power distance between leaders and employees. The study shows that different countries exhibit varying levels of power distance, which in turn impacts leadership decision-making. Employees perceive substantial differences between the Swedish leadership style and those of other countries they have worked in. The Swedish leadership style is perceived as unique, with norms and legislation considered to be contributing factors to this distinction. Leaders in Sweden are also perceived as inclusive.Datum: [2025-06-04] Nivå: Kandidatuppsats i Företagsekonomi, 15 hp Institution: Akademin för Ekonomi, Samhälle och Teknik, Mälardalens Universitet Författare: Marcel Cevik Anton Höglund Kamilla Jurabaeva (01/02/28) (01/03/24) (00/11/10) Titel: Från Sverige till Världen: Ledarskapets Resa genom Kulturella Landskap Handledare: Jan Karlsson Nyckelord: Ledarskap, kultur, konsensus, Hofstedes kulturdimensionsteori, organisation Forskningsfråga/or: Hur påverkar nationella och organisatoriska kulturer ledarskapsstilar i multinationella företag? Hur uppfattar medarbetare skillnader i ledarskapsstilar mellan Sverige och andra länder de arbetat i, vilka faktorer anser de påverkar skillnaderna? Syfte: Det huvudsakliga syftet med studien är förståelsen av hur ledarskap skiljer sig i olika nationella och organisatoriska kulturer, med särskilt fokus och utgångspunkt på hur dessa ställs i perspektiv till den svenska ledarskapsstilen. Arbetet ska ge en förståelse för hur ledarskapsteori fungerar i praktiken och hur man med hjälp av detta kan effektivisera internationellt ledarskap i annat land än sitt eget. Metod: I denna studie har en kvalitativ metod vidtagits för datainsamling och bearbetning av data. Empirin samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med hjälp av en tematisk analys. Studien baseras på en induktiv forskningsansats. Studiens empiri grundar sig på 10 intervjuer med medarbetare som alla har erfarenheter av att arbeta i Sverige och minst ett annat land. Slutsats: Studien har kommit fram till att nationella och organisatoriska kulturer påverkar ledarskapsstilar avsevärt. Kultur kan exempelvis påverka maktdistansen mellan ledare och medarbetare. Studien visar att olika länder har olika maktdistans, vilket även påverkar ledarens beslutstagande. Medarbetare upplever stora skillnader mellan den svenska ledarskapsstilen jämfört med andra länder de har arbetat i. Den svenska ledarskapsstilen upplevs som unik, normer och lagar anses vara faktorer som kan ligga till grund för detta. Ledare i Sverige upplevs även som inkluderande.
I skuggan av födelsen, kvinnors röster om våld i livets vackraste stund : En kvalitativ webbaserad enkätundersökning om kvinnors erfarenheter av obstetriskt våld i samband med förlossning
No full textSyfte: Att beskriva kvinnors erfarenheter av obstetriskt våld i samband med förlossning. Metod: Kvalitativ webbaserad enkätundersökning med induktiv ansats. Totalt inkluderades 51 kvinnor. Data analyserades med en kvalitativ innehållsanalys.Resultat: Resultatet utgjordes av 4 huvudkategorier och 11 subkategorier. Det framkom hur bristande samtycke, respektlöst bemötande och otillräckligt stöd skapar känslor av maktlöshet, rädsla och förlorad autonomi. Kvinnor beskrev fysiska och psykiska trauman, bristande eftervård samt hur vårdens organisation och personalens agerande påverkade tilliten till vården. Konsekvenserna sträckte sig till familjelivet, med påverkan på anknytning, parrelation och framtida reproduktiva val. Slutsats: Obstetriskt våld kränker kvinnors rätt till autonomi och trygghet i vården. Bristande samtycke, respektlöst bemötande och avsaknad av stöd kan orsaka fysiska och psykiska trauman såsom PTSD och förlossningsrädsla. KASAM-perspektivet belyser hur brister i begriplighet, hanterbarhet och meningsfullhet försvagar kvinnors känsla av sammanhang. Kliniska implikationer: För att förebygga våldet krävs personcentrerad, etisk och evidensbaserad vård, samt strukturella förändringar, ökad utbildning och kontinuitet. Barnmorskan har en nyckelroll i att återupprätta kvinnors förtroende för förlossningsvården.
WHEN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES BECOME A CRIME TOOL : Government cooperation against welfare crime and money laundering in the school sector
No full textDate: 2025-06-04 Level: Bachelor/Master thesis in Business Administration, 15 cr Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University Authors: Nathalie Aulén, Emma Helander, Mikaela Malki Title: When Education Becomes a Tool for Crime: Inter-Agency Cooperation Against Welfare Fraud and Money Laundering in the School Sector. Supervisor: Fredrik Jeanson Keywords: Welfare crime, money laundering, companies as criminal tools, education sector, inter-agency cooperation, neo-institutional theory. Research question: How do Swedish authorities collaborate to identify and counteract companies in the school sector that are used as tools for crime in welfare-related offenses linked to money laundering? Purpose: The purpose of the study is to examine how Swedish authorities collaborate to control companies used as tools for crime within welfare-related criminality linked to money laundering, with a particular focus on educational activities. The study aims to investigate the institutional and organizational factors that influence this collaboration, as well as the opportunities and obstacles that characterize the joint efforts of the authorities. Method: The study is based on a qualitative method using six semi-structured interviews with representatives from public authorities. Conclusion: The study shows that inter-agency cooperation is a key factor in combating welfare crime, but is hindered by confidentiality rules, resource constraints, and unclear responsibilities. At the same time, positive examples of effective collaboration and developed control methods highlight the need for improved information sharing, clearer structures, and increased legitimacy within the supervisory system