Browsing by Author "Lindquist, Mikael"

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Förbättrad informationshantering för Scanias produktionscontrollers en readiness-utvärdering av datalagerteknik
(2003) Lindquist, Mikael; Lindau, Johan; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för informatik; Göteborg University/Department of Informatics
The controllers’ efficiency is very dependent on information availability. A significant part of this information is difficult to access, ambiguous and is heterogeneously defined in various transaction systems. This problem has been identified by Scania, hence our thesis. Data warehousing technology aims to improve the availability, quality and suitability on selected information. These opportunities are very difficult to realise which only come to show in the meagre statistics over successful projects. Practical experience has over the years developed knowledge of certain factors critical to a projects’ success, ie readiness factors. On the basis of these factors we have investigated the present conditions for the possibility of improving information availability with data warehousing technology. This has been done through the use of data warehouse technology for the controllers at Scania’s production units. The controllers’ working situation served as a starting point in determining the applicability of the technology. The readiness test resulted in strengths as well as weaknesses. Our conclusions are that a larger integrating solution needs to be preceded by a number of preventive measures with some of the factors. Concepts and information requirements must be synchronized, the scope needs to be clearly defined and the business value formulated. The present information environment fall short in data quality and indicates deficiencies in data definitions, both which require resolving. At present we recommend Scania to implement the technology in stand alone systems and use intermediate storing to take advantage of the dimensional analysis possibilities. This solution can be implemented without any drastic measures to be taken. Scania needs to map the information requirements in regards to the specific systems. It is however important to understand that the user might become inspired by the technology and start requesting further solutions. Knowing this from the start will help the company take advantage of this information as useful knowledge in preparation for more ambitious solutions in the future.
The Elusive Nature of Emerging Technologies
(2025-09-12) Lindquist, Mikael
Emerging technologies fundamentally transform society, with this process gaining ever more momentum as the digital era unfolds; however, the early innovation processes interwoven with them remain poorly understood. The dissertation clarifies these processes considerably by examining the nature of emerging technologies and how the latter influence the early stages of innovation in organizations. The research behind it addressed two questions: How can emerging technologies be conceptualized, and, given this conceptualization, how do emerging technologies shape the conditions for early digital-innovation processes? The work drew from an interpretative, qualitatively oriented case study of public-sector organizations engaged in early innovation processes involving blockchain technology. A study at a government agency served as an especially rich data source, informing two-phase analysis wherein separate analyses were conducted and presented in four research articles, then more general case analysis addressed the overarching research questions. Two central contributions to current theory emerged. Detailing the elusive nature of emerging technologies draws attention to vital facets of their ambiguity; they lack clarity both in their material structure (how they are technically constituted) and in the purposes articulated for them (what problems can be solved). Secondly, the dissertation presents elaboration on the framing paradox of emerging technologies, which is an outgrowth of their elusive nature. This explicates how grappling with the ambiguities requires a strategy to reduce the complexity bundled with the dual ambiguity. It also highlights key tensions: legitimacy-linked ones and tensions between innovation ambitions and responsibilities for existing structures. The research’s findings hold significant practical utility. An organization that acknowledges the “dual ambiguity” and the framing paradox is better equipped to guide its planning and execution of digital innovation processes. For government, one implication of understanding the ambiguity-rife nature of emerging technologies is development of more precise targeting of innovation funding. Also, in society at large, the power game of new technology development requires a corresponding focus on the labeling processes brought into play.