Publikationer från Södertörns Högskola
Not a member yet
15029 research outputs found
Sort by
Violence and Warfare in Social Context : Archaeological and Historical Studies
No full textWar is often viewed through the lens of strategy, statecraft, and technological progress. However, both war and violence in general are deeply rooted in social and cultural frameworks. From Mesolithic conflicts to Early Modern naval warfare, this interdisciplinary anthology explores the practice and perception of various forms of violence in past societies, revealing patterns that prompt reflection on modern assumptions about war. Blending insights from Conflict Archaeology and War Studies, the work underscores the critical value of material culture in understanding the complexities of warfare, both theoretically and methodologically. For Conflict Archaeology and war scholars, this work advances a perspective that situates violence and warfare within broader social and cultural contexts, emphasizing that war is more than just tactics and technology – it is a social reality embedded in both human action and material culture
Written Sources on Medieval Fighting Practices
No full textThis chapter presents a short introduction to different types of written sources referring to the fighting practices of the medieval period: Geoffroi de Charny’s and Hans Talhoffer’s discussions of laws and conventions relating to fighting, accounts of judicial duels between a man and a woman and two men-at-arms, and descriptions of fighting technique in the manuals or “fight books” of Hans Talhoffer and Paulus Kal. The examples offered, all concerned with conventionally recognised forms of combat, are discussed in terms of what they may reveal of the actual practices or the technical knowledge governing such practice, and of the significance of the fighting activities they describe to the people writing about them
Sustainable Development as Pliable Neoliberalism? : A Decolonial, Marxist and Post-Structuralist Approach
No full textConsidering that the concept of development has a history of being associated with unsustainable neoliberal development, sustainable development aims to provide a sustainable model of development even as critical scholars argue that sustainable development is neoliberal. Departing from the concept of pliable neoliberalism, coined by James H. Mittelman, this thesis aims to engage in a critical and theoretical discussion regarding the connection between pliable neoliberalism and the political dimension of sustainable development from a decolonial, Marxist and post-structuralist approach, through a semi-systematic literature and theory review as well as a thematic deconstruction. The findings reveal how the emergence of pliable neoliberalism has resulted in an unofficial political dimension of sustainable development: the SDG discourse of ‘leaving no one behind.’ In particular, the decolonial and Marxist approach focuses on how the political dimension of sustainable development employs modernity's rhetoric while masking colonial logic. In contrast, the post-structuralist approach emphasizes how the shift from rigid to flexible neoliberalism underscores the necessity for sustainable development to foster new ontological beliefs. The display of the findings also highlights the need for future research to move past the focus of rigid neoliberal and sustainable development and to instead partake in a broader and Pluriversal discussion of how pliable neoliberalism is affecting sustainable development. As such, the thesis intends to provide the starting point for a broader and Pluriversal discussion starting from a critical approach to start generating new knowledge.
The role of leadership in data-driven initiatives in small and medium-sized enterprises
No full textDenna studie undersöker ledarskapets roll i att införa datadrivna initiativ och skapa en datadriven organisation inom små och medelstora företag (SMF) i Sverige. I en alltmer digitaliserad värld är det avgörande för SMF att effektivt utnyttja data för att stärka sin konkurrenskraft. Studien syftar till att besvara forskningsfrågorna: “Hur används ledarskapsstrategier av SMF-ledare vid införandet av datadrivna projekt?” samt “På vilket sätt bidrar ledarskap till en mer datadriven organisation?” Studien använder en kvalitativ forskningsmetod med en deduktiv ansats. Empirin samlas in genom djupintervjuer med sju ledare och IT-chefer från olika SMF. Den teoretiska ramen bygger på arbetssystemteori, socioteknisk systemteori, och modeller för förändringsledning, och ett deduktivt konceptuellt ramverk har utvecklats för att analysera samspelet mellan ledarskap, organisationskultur och datadrivna initiativ. Resultatet visar att ledare använder en rad strategier för att främja datadrivenhet, inklusive tydlig kommunikation av visionen och målen med datadrivna initiativ samt kompetensutveckling och utbildning av medarbetare för att öka förståelsen och användningen av data. Även att skapa en öppen och tillåtande kultur där medarbetare kan uttrycka oro och ge feedback och anpassa system och verktyg för att förenkla datainsamling och analys. Det är också kritiskt att bygga förtroende genom att visa på konkreta fördelar och värdet av datadrivna beslut. Studien identifierar också utmaningar, såsom brist på resurser, inklusive tid, kompetens och budget. Likaså motstånd mot förändring på grund av rädsla för det okända, misstro i data och oro för att förlora sitt jobb. Samt svårigheter att omvandla data till användbar information. Studien bidrar till en ökad förståelse för hur ledarskap kan stödja datadrivenhet inom SMF och hur dessa företag kan övervinna utmaningar för att bli mer konkurrenskraftiga i en digitaliserad ekonomi. För ledare som vill införa datadrivna initiativ och skapa en datadriven kultur i sina organisationer har studien praktiska implikationer såsom behovet av ökad och tydlig kommunikation, kompetensutveckling, ledare som strävar mot ökat engagemang och delaktighet, samt en samverkan mellan teknik och människor. This study investigates the role of leadership in implementing data-driven initiatives and creating a data driven culture within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. In an increasingly digitalized world, it is crucial for SMEs to effectively utilize data to enhance their competitiveness. The study aims to answer the research questions: “How do SME leaders use leadership strategies to implement data-driven projects?” and “How does leadership contribute to a more data-driven organization?” The study uses a qualitative research method with a deductive approach. Empirical data is gathered through in-depth interviews with seven leaders and IT managers from various SMEs in the IT sector. The theoretical framework is based on work system theory, sociotechnical systems theory, and models for change management. A deductive conceptual framework has been developed to analyze the interplay between leadership, organizational culture, and data-driven initiatives. The findings indicate that leaders use a range of strategies to promote data-drivenness, including clear communication of the vision and goals for data-driven initiatives and competence development and training of employees to increase understanding and utilization of data. Further creating an open and supportive culture where employees can express concerns and provide feedback and adapting systems and tools to simplify data collection and analysis. It is crucial to build trust by demonstrating concrete benefits and the value of data-driven decisions. The study also identifies challenges, such as lack of resources, including time, skills, and budget. Resistance to change increases due to fear of the unknown and concerns about job security and difficulties in transforming data into usable information. For leaders aiming to implement data-driven initiatives and implement a data-driven culture within their organizations the study has some practical implications, such as the need for increased communication, competence development, leaders aiming for more engagement and participation, as well as cooperation between technology and humans.
Impakten av visuell feedback på spelfigursval : En utforskande studie i hur utseendet av ultimata förmågor påverkar spelares val i mobilspel
No full textVisual feedback is a tool used in order to communicate to the player what effect their input has on the game. Previous research has looked at how visual effects (VFX) can be used, but not how they could impact the players character choices. The type of VFX that is examined in this study are those belonging to the character's ultimate skills. In this study, six people have played a game where character choice is an important feature. The participants were interviewed using the method Stimulated Recall. These interviews were analyzed using a Thematic Analysis method. The results of the study indicate that certain visual cues in ultimate skill VFX impact player perceptions, which in turn affect character choices. These visual cues were categorized into the following themes: perception of role and efficiency, connection and weight, contrast, amount of detail, and visual delegates.
Den nya fotbollsjournalistiken : En jämförande kvantitativ studie av innehållet i professionell fotbollsjournalistik och supporterjournalistik
No full textI denna uppsats har vi i en kvantitativ studie undersökt hur professionell journalistik och supporterjournalistik valt att gestalta sina texter om fotboll. Med hjälp av gestaltningsteori har vi kunnat identifiera likheter och skillnader i hur de olika typerna av journalistik väljer att gestalta sina texter. För att genomföra studien valde vi att undersöka 100 artiklar från de traditionella medierna Aftonbladet och Expressen och 100 artiklar från supportforumet SvenskaFans. Vi avgränsade oss genom att analysera texter som handlade om de allsvenska fotbollslagen AIK, Djurgården och Hammarby, under säsongen 2024. Resultatet visade att det finns stora skillnader i hur gestaltningen görs i de olika medierna. De professionella medierna tenderar att lyfta individernas perspektiv, i form av citat från spelare och tränare medan supporterjournalisterna gestaltar sina texter utifrån egna iakttagelser och åsikter. Därefter valde vi att analysera resultatet utifrån professionaliseringsteori, då kom vi fram till att de professionella journalisternas gestaltning är en motsättning till de traditionella normerna inom den professionella journalistiken. Samtidigt som supporterjournalistiken inte tenderar att stå i enighet med de journalistiska normerna, något som är tidigare känt.
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
Vaults, heroes, and enemies : A multimodal approach to poster propaganda in the Fallout series
No full textThe Fallout game series has utilized in-game posters as both decorative and narrative elements, which have helped it shape its post-apocalyptic world. These posters often serve as (satirical) propaganda and reflect the societal structures, ideologies, and conflicts of the game’s dystopian setting. This study analyzes all propaganda-themed posters from six Fallout role-playing video games (1997–2018) to examine their multimodal features and propaganda techniques. Using a multimodal framework combined with propaganda studies, we explore how text-image relations, figures of speech, typography, color schemes, and iconography interact with propaganda strategies such as Appeal to emotion and fear, Name-calling, Glittering generalities, and Band wagon. Our findings reveal that text-dominant posters and sans-serif fonts are the most frequent design choices. Metonymy is the most used figure of speech, and it often reinforces ideological symbols, while red and blue emerge as dominant colors, frequently associated with military or nationalistic themes. The study also identifies strong correlations between specific propaganda techniques and multimodal features, demonstrating how visual and textual elements work together to achieve persuasive impact. The study situates Fallout’s posters within a broader context and provides insight into how video games appropriate and adapt real-world propaganda strategies and forms of political messaging
A game for the Games : Factors Influencing Sweden´s Olympic Ambitions
No full textBakgrund: Sverige har ansökt om att få anordna Olympiska spelen (OS) 12 gånger. Två gånger har Sveriges Olympiska Kommitté (SOK) sökt om att få anordna sommar-OS och tio gånger vinter-OS. Trots alla dessa ansökningar har det renderat i endast ett svenskt olympiskt spel, sommar-OS i Stockholm år 1912. OS är ett av världens största evenemang och lockar mängder av deltagare och tittare. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka olika faktorer som kan påverka Sveriges möjlighet att få arrangera ett Olympiskt Spel. Studien undersöker också hur internationella relationer påverkat tidigare utfall. Frågeställningar: - Varför ansöker Sverige om att arrangera OS? - Vilka politiska, kulturella och organisatoriska faktorer har spelat roll för att få arrangera ett OS? - Hur har internationella relationer påverkat utfallet av Sveriges OS-ansökningar? Metod: Forskningsfrågorna har besvarats genom en kvalitativ metod där fyra semistrukturerade intervjuer genomförts. Dessa personer har varit en del av ansökningsprocesserna, antingen verksam inom SOK eller från en utomstående part. Utöver intervjuer har studien bestått av en innehållsanalys samt sekundärdata. Slutsatser: Studiens resultat visar att motiven för att ansöka om OS kombinerar tradition, stolthet och framtidstro. Den visar också att ett antal politiska, kulturella, organisatoriska och ekonomiska faktorer är avgörande för att lyckas med en OS-ansökan. Slutligen visar studien att Sverige har misslyckats med att bygga ett starkt internationellt nätverk och förtroende, vilket har påverkat deras ansökningar negativt.Background: Sweden has applied to host the Olympic Games 12 times. The Swedish Olympic Committee (SOC) has applied to host the Summer Olympics twice and the Winter Olympics ten times. Despite all these bids, Sweden has only hosted the Olympic Games once, the Summer Olympics in Stockholm in 1912. The Olympics is one of the world's largest events, attracting numerous participants and viewers. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate various factors that may influence Sweden's chances of hosting the Olympic Games. The study also examines how international relations have impacted previous outcomes. Research questions: - Why does Sweden apply to host the Olympic Games? - What political, cultural, and organizational factors have played a role in securing the bid to host the Olympics? - How have international relations influenced the outcomes of Sweden's Olympic bids? Methodology: The research questions have been answered through a qualitative method, where four semi-structured interviews were conducted. These individuals were part of the bidding processes, either working within the SOC or from an external part. In addition to the interviews, the study included a content analysis and secondary data. Conclusion: The study's results show that the motivations for applying for the Olympics combine tradition, pride, and optimism for the future. It also reveals that several political, cultural, organizational and economic factors are crucial for a successful Olympic bid. Finally, the study indicates that Sweden has failed to build a strong international network and trust, which has negatively affected their bid