The European Internationalist: sweden and european security cooperation

A política de segurança e defesa sueca mudou radicalmente desde o fim da Guerra Fria. A neutralidade foi abandonada, sendo o não-alinhamento significativo na forma como salvaguarda a independência relativamente a quaisquer compromissos de aliança militar. A Suécia tem apoiado o desenvolvimento de uma Política Europeia de Segurança e Defesa (PESD), sendo um parceiro activo na arquitectura de cooperação da NATO. Estas iniciativas teriam sido impensáveis durante a Guerra Fria. No entanto, este artigo suporta a ideia de que as mudanças da política sueca de segurança e defesa são enquadradas por uma tradição de política externa de alcance mundial de feitura do bem, que precede o fim da Guerra Fria e que se enquadra numa concepção de internacionalismo moral. O envolvimento sueco nas operações da PESD e NATO é visto como servindo um conceito alargado de segurança. Assim se explica como é que a Suécia se envolveu tão empenhadamente na cooperação com a UE e com a NATO, e se justifica uma reduzida polémica no debate político interno relativamente às mudanças sobre a política sueca de segurança e defesa

Comparison of the dynamic response and environmental impact between traditional and innovative railway track systems

Railways employ a range of different railway track forms. Here, a ballasted track design is compared to three different slab track solutions. The track designs are compared using both a life cycle analysis (LCA) and a methodology for simulation of three-dimensional vertical dynamic vehicle–track interaction, which has been verified versus field measurements. The interaction between vehicle and track is simulated in the time domain using an extended state-space vector approach. For the investigated load cases involving representative wheel and track irregularities, it is concluded that the maximum stress in the concrete parts is, for all designs, below the maximum flexural tensile strength. From the LCA, it is concluded that the production of steel and concrete cause most CO2 emissions, while the CO2 emissions due to maintenance activities such as tamping and rail grinding are only a small part of the overall emissions

Slab track optimisation considering dynamic train–track interaction

Slab track is a type of railway track that is frequently used e.g. in high-speed applications as an alternative to ballasted track. Slab track is also well suited on bridges and in tunnels since no ballast is required and the cross-section of tunnels can be reduced. Slab tracks generally have lower maintenance demands than ballasted track. However, if maintenance is required it may be expensive and intrusive. On the other hand, overdimensioning of slab track will lead to high environmental impact and monetary cost. This thesis aims to increase the knowledge and improve the understanding of the dynamic interaction between vehicle and track in order to allow for the optimisation of slab track.To this end, both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) slab track models, and a transition zone model between slab track and ballasted track, have been developed. These models are used to simulate the vertical dynamic vehicle–track interaction in the time-domain. The computational cost of the simulation is reduced by using a complex-valued modal superposition technique for the finite element model of the track. In the 3D model, both rails are represented by beam elements, while the concrete parts are described using shell or solid elements. The simulations employ a mix of in-house and commercial codes. The influence of different irregularities, e.g. variations in track support conditions and irregularities in longitudinal level, on significant track responses such as wheel–rail contact forces, stresses in the concrete parts and pressure on the foundation is assessed. From Single-Input-Multiple-Output (SIMO) measurements carried out in a full-scale test rig, the 3D model has been calibrated and validated. The developed models have been used to improve the designs of slab track and transition zones. Based on a multi-objective optimisation problem that is solved using a genetic algorithm, the transition zone design has been optimised to minimise the dynamic loads generated due to the stiffness gradient between the two track forms. The slab track design has been optimised to minimise the environmental footprint considering the constraint that the design must pass the static design criteria described in EN\ua016432-2. This design is then employed in the dynamic model where it is shown that there is a further potential for design improvements and related CO2 savings. In particular, there may be possibilities to reduce the thickness of the concrete layers and the amount of concrete between the rails. Finally, a model of reinforced concrete has been implemented and combined with the dynamic model to assess consequences of cracking in the concrete panel and to evaluate stresses in the reinforcement bars

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY APPLY CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS IN HEALTHCARE INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT ? A STORY FROM THE FIELD

Many studies have focused on retrospectively identifying critical success factors (CSFs) for healthcare information system (HIS) development projects. In this paper the central question is how in advance selected CSFs can be applied in the best way. An action research study has been carried out in a large Swedish healthcare organization during 2010 and 2011 where the application of four CSFs has been planned, documented and reflected upon. Challenges are identified that may arise when tailoring general CSFs to situational circumstances. For example, the self-evident CSF of ?having a clear and accepted objective? becomes tricky and complex in practice when facing 15 autonomous boards that all need to support the project. Similar insights are gained for other CSFs. More research is needed to illuminate the complexities of how to apply CSFs. Another important observation is that different CSFs strengthen one another, which implies that they should be applied and analysed in concert rather than isolated. Finally, healthcare practitioners need to be aware that CSFs are very helpful, but that tailoring general CSFs to the unique situation of the HIS development project requires much effort and continuous reflection from a holistic perspective embedded in systems thinking

Building knowledge repositories with enterprise modelling and patterns – from theory to practice

An approach to building knowledge repositories, Enterprise Knowledge Patterns (EKP), has been developed and applied throughout a number of research projects, most recently in the ELEKTRA, HyperKnowledge1 and EKLär projects. The EKP approach combines Enterprise Modelling with organisational patterns. Systematic evaluations of applying the approach have been carried out in two of the projects, while the third project is currently running. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the evaluation results and to share practical experiences from building knowledge repositories with Enterprise Modelling and organisational patterns. We discuss issues concerning the knowledge content of pattern based knowledge repositories, the language used to express knowledge in organisational patterns and technology support for storing and retrieving knowledge components.

Digital norm contestation and feminist foreign policy

This article examines the role of digital norm contestation in feminist foreign policy (FFP). It analyzes how states that participate in digital diplomacy are involved in challenging and resisting norms, values and expectations related to feminist positionings in the digital environment. The article presents an analytical framework for the study of digital norm contestation and conducts an empirical case study of Sweden as the first country in the world to brand its foreign policy “feminist.” This triggered a process of digital norm contestation, particularly visible in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Three empirical vignettes of digital norm contestation are analyzed. The first example illustrates how the Swedish government was able to exercise global leadership to visually perform and digitally advocate the contestation of the US global gag rule. The second example underlines how the Swedish government harnessed its leadership by connecting it to grassroots contestations of the global gag rule through digital advocacy networks. The third example illuminates how the Swedish government’s visit to Iran backfired because of a lost sense of control over visual performative effects in the digital environment. By way of conclusion, we suggest three avenues that can be pursued to further the research agenda on gender, digital norm contestation, and foreign policy