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    Att leda under förändring – Förändringsfaktorer för att hanteraförändringsmotstånd : En kvalitativ studie om hur ledare främjar positivaförändringsprocesser inom privat verksamhet

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    The purpose of the study was to understand how leaders in private businessmanage resistance to change and how they promoted positive changeprocesses. The study was conducted using a qualitative method in the formof semi-structured interviews inspired by Appreciative Inquiry (AI).A total of seven leaders in private business were interviewed, regardless ofindustry. The analysis was conducted based on a thematic approach wherecentral themes were identified. The results showed that success factors thatreduce resistance and promote positive change processes were:participation, committed leadership, communication, motivation and cleargoals & vision. Furthermore, the study showed that strategies such ascreating meaning, being responsive, communicating regularly, creating cleargoals and showing appreciation are valuable approaches to leading duringchange. The results of the study showed that successful change processescannot be standardized, change models can, on the other hand, be used asvaluable frameworks for leaders to relate to. However, the need remains tosatisfy the emotional value that the study showed is a significant factor inreducing resistance to change and promoting positive change processes.Studiens syfte har varit att förstå hur ledare inom privat verksamhet hanterarförändringsmotstånd samt hur de främjade positiva förändringsprocesser.Studien genomfördes genom en kvalitativ metod i form avsemistrukturerade intervjuer som inspirerades av Appreciative Inquiry (AI).Totalt intervjuades sju ledare inom privat verksamhet oberoende av bransch.Analysen genomfördes utifrån en tematisk ansats där centrala temanidentifierades. Resultatet visade att framgångsfaktorer som minskarmotstånd och främjar positiva förändringsprocesser var: delaktighet,engagerat ledarskap, kommunikation, motivation och tydliga mål & vision.Vidare visade studien att strategier som att skapa mening, vara lyhörd,kommunicera regelbundet, skapa tydliga mål och att visa uppskattning ärvärdefulla tillvägagångsätt i att leda under förändring. Resultatet av studienvisade att framgångsrika förändringsprocesser inte kan standardiseras,förändringsmodeller kan å andra sidan användas som värdefulla ramar förledare att förhålla sig till. Däremot kvarstår behovet att tillgodose detemotionella värdet som studien visade är en betydelsefull faktor för attminska förändringsmotstånd och främja positiva förändringsprocesser

    Enhancing Polycaprolactone with Levulinic Acid-Extracted Lignin : Toward Sustainable Bio-Based Polymer Blends

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    The growing demand for sustainable materials has intensified the search for biodegradable polymers. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), though biodegradable, is fossil-derived. In this study, a novel lignin extracted from pine wood using a green solvent was incorporated into PCL and compared with commercial lignins (dealkaline, alkaline, and lignosulfonate). The lignin additions imparted antioxidant properties, enhanced thermal stability, and promoted circular economy goals through lignin valorization. Notably, the green-extracted lignin showed superior compatibility with PCL when compared with commercial lignins, as evidenced by lower water uptake and solubility, and improved surface hydrophobicity (higher contact angle). Although the addition of lignin reduced the tensile strength and elongation at break, it greatly increased the PCL radical scavenging activity (DPPH) from 8 ± 1% of neat PCL to 94.8 ± 0.3% when 20 wt% of lignin-LA was added. Among the tested lignins, lignin-LA stands out as the most promising candidate to be applied as a functional additive in biodegradable polymer blends and composites for advanced sustainable applications. Not only given its intrinsically higher sustainability but also due to its capacity for improving the thermal properties of PCL–lignin blends.

    Optimal body mass normalization of power output for accurate prediction of estimated cycling performance over complex time-trial courses

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    Introduction: Power profiling is widely used in cycling performance analysis, but both absolute and mass-normalized power outputs have limitations as performance indicators, as they neglect external factors such as terrain, wind, aerodynamic drag, and pacing strategy. To address these limitations, this study introduced a numerical method to quantify how external forces acting on the cyclist influence the conversion of power output into race velocity. Thus, the study aimed to enable accurate prediction of cycling performance based on estimated mean power output over complex time-trial courses. Methods: Time-trial performances of five elite-level road cyclist profiles—a sprinter, climber, all-rounder, general classification (GC) contender, and a time trialist—were estimated using the power-duration relationship and previously published normative data. These performance estimates were applied to both simplified hypothetical courses and complex real-world time-trial courses. Optimal mass exponents for the power-to-mass ratio were determined based on the estimated average speeds over the respective course sections, cyclist morphology, and external factors such as gradient and wind velocity. Results: Across two recent Grand Tour individual time-trial courses, stage 21 of the 2024 Tour de France and stage 7 of the 2024 Giro d’Italia, the duration-weighted optimally mass-normalized power output metrics were (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.), respectively. These metrics accurately predicted the estimated performances of the five defined cyclist profiles ((Formula presented.) for both). Discussion: The results indicate that the duration-weighted optimal mass exponents for the power-to-mass ratio are course-specific. By deriving optimal mass exponents across various modeled courses and wind conditions, the study was able to precisely quantify the influence of road gradient, headwind speed, and bicycle mass on the conversion of power output relative to body mass into speed. Further research is needed to validate the presented method for determining optimal mass exponents in real-world performance settings.

    När värdet går förlorat : Varför offentlig digitalisering missar målet – och hur vi kan styra med det som spelar roll

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    The Swedish public sector faces major challenges, where digitalization is often seen as a solution. Yet, the expected public value is often lacking. One reason is the limited use of benefit analysis, which hinders value-based governance in e-governance. This study explores how value-based governance can be applied in practice and proposes a supporting model. A design science research approach was used, combining case study methodology with data from study groups, observations, and document analysis. The study identified three central obstacles to the systematic use of benefit analysis: limited applicability, challenges in valuing benefits, and insufficient methodological knowledge. Building on empirical findings and prior research, eleven requirements were derived, forming a framework for future models in the context of e-governance.Sveriges offentliga sektor står inför växande utmaningar där digitalisering lyfts som en lösning, men ofta uteblir det förväntade offentliga värdet. En bidragande orsak är den begränsade användningen av nyttoanalyser, vilket försvårar värdebaserad styrning inom e-förvaltning. Mot denna bakgrund syftade studien till att undersöka hur värdebaserad styrning kan tillämpas i praktiken och att utveckla en modell för detta. Den baserades på design science research i kombination med en fallstudieansats och använde fokusgrupper, observationer och dokumentstudier som datakällor. Resultatet identifierade tre problemområden som förklarar avsaknaden av systematik i användningen av nyttoanalyser: brister i tillämpning, svårigheter kring nyttovärdering samt behov av metodologisk förkunskap. Utifrån studiens empiri och tidigare forskning formulerades elva krav som tillsammans utgör en ram för framtida modeller inom området

    Emotional health across the perinatal period : Longitudinal patterns of fear of birth and depressive symptoms in a midwifery continuity of care context

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    Objectives: Perinatal depressive symptoms affect both maternal and infant well-being and are associated with fear of giving birth. Midwifery continuity of care (MCoC) has shown potential in reducing anxiety and depression, particularly among vulnerable women. The aim of this study was to explore the trajectories of fear of birth and depressive symptoms, in relation to background, attitudes and birth-related data. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted among women with fear of birth or depressive symptoms who, after a screening procedure were offered care in a MCoC model. Fear of birth and depressive symptoms were assessed with the Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and measured at screening, in mid pregnancy and twice after birth. Chi-square tests and analysis of variance were used for comparing groups. Results: The questionnaires were completed by 175 women during pregnancy and by 140 postpartum. During screening 84% presented with fear of birth and 24% with depressive symptoms. The degree of fear of birth and the depressive symptoms changed over time with the highest prevalence during pregnancy and a decline after birth. The trajectory of depressive symptoms was mainly related to women's attitudes, while birth-related variables concerned fear of birth. Conclusion: This study showed that fear of birth as well as depressive symptoms changed over time. These changes may represent natural progression but might be associated with the intervention. Working with women's attitudes might change the trajectories, especially in women with both fear of birth and depressive symptoms.

    Influencer Marketing, Parasociala relationer och trovärdighet : En kvalitativ fallstudie om Unga Kvinnors upplevelse av influencer marketing

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    Problemformulering och syfte: Sociala medier har blivit en integrerad del av människors vardag och nya former av digital kommunikation vuxit fram, där influencer marketing intagit en central roll. Influencers har idag ett stort genomslag i digitala kommunikationskanaler, och deras förmåga att skapa personliga och autentiska berättelser gör dem till effektiva budbärare för varumärken. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur unga kvinnor upplever trovärdigheten hos influencers i kommunikationssammanhang, samt vilken roll parasociala relationer spelar i dessa upplevelser. Studien syftar även till att analysera hur dessa faktorer påverkar kvinnors attityder och konsumtionsbeteenden. Metod och material: Studien består av en kvalitativ metod, semistrukturerade intervjuer och en kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Huvudresultat: Studien visade att influencer marketing är effektivt när det kommer att skapa parasociala relationer, trovärdighet och köpintentioner.

    Brister i omsorgen enligt 2 § LVU : En analys av rekvisitet med särskild fokuspå barnets bästa

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    Optimising Metal and Mineral Recovery from Waste Streams : A Data-Driven Approach

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    Global primary material use is expected to double by 2060, contributing to increased landfilled waste, environmental pollution and reduced access to metals and minerals. In order to address this challenge, a transition to a circular economy is essential. However, global circularity is decreasing annually, and circularity within the EU remains largely stagnant, indicating that this shift is not occurring at scale. Data-driven methods could be used as decision making support for enabling development of waste recovery technologies to increase the input rate of secondary raw materials into the global economy.This thesis presents a data-driven methodology consisting of: correlation matrix, clustering algorithms, domain confirmation and regression modeling to predict the oxide composition of ladle furnace slags more precisely compared to basic statistical methods. Evaluation using randomised datasets shows that the model improves prediction accuracy of oxide concentration by 37–45% for 4 out of 5 oxides with a variance reduction of 23–54%, compared to using statistical means. The result is lower error margins when estimating available quantity of oxides in ladle furnace slags,showing that the methodology can be used to better identify high potential mineral waste streams, improve the recovery of metals and minerals and thereby support the transition to a circular economy.

    Studentliv och hemberedskap : En studie om unga vuxna studenters attityder till hemberedskap och deras faktiska hemberedskap

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    2025-06-25</p

    Vuxnas motivation till intressebaserat lärande: : En studie om självvalda lärandeaktiviteter ur ett livslångt lärandeperspektiv

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    Denna studie undersökte vad som motiverar vuxna att delta i intressebaserat lärande, det vill säga lärande som sker frivilligt och utifrån personliga intressen snarare än krav från arbetsliv eller formell utbildning. Syftet var även att belysa hur detta lärande kan främja personlig utveckling och välbefi nnande ur ett livslångt lärandeperspektiv. Studien baserades på kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer med åtta deltagare i åldrarna 25-65 år som engagerat sig i olika typer av intressebaserade aktiviteter. Genom intervjuerna har studien utforskat deltagarnas upplevelser av motivation, lärandeprocesser och hur dessa erfarenheter påverkat deras liv i stort. Analysen genomfördes med en teoretisk tematisk ansats som delvis utgick från Self-Determination Theory, där begreppen autonomi, kompetens och tillhörighet fungerade som en tolkningsram för tre av fem identifi erade teman. De två övriga temana, personlig utveckling och välbefi nnande, har analyserats utifrån deltagarnas egna berättelser och tidigare forskning inom livslångt lärande. Resultatet visade att vuxnas motivation i hög grad präglas av en strävan efter självbestämmande, utveckling och social samhörighet. Lärandet beskrevs också som en väg till ökad självkännedom, livslust och balans i vardagen. Slutsatsen visade därmed på betydelsen av att uppmärksamma och värdesätta de former av lärande som sker bortom traditionella utbildningssystem samt hur dessa kan bidra till ett meningsfullt livslångt lärande.Godkänd: 2025-06-10.</p

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