The Service Research Center (CTF)

Jasper, what does it mean to you to be appointed associate professor (docent) in Information Systems?
– For me, it is a fun and welcome sign that I’m starting to find my footing in information systems and in the Swedish academic system. At the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft in the Netherlands, I conducted research as a design researcher on information systems, such as digital travel cards and digital public services, but here in Karlstad I have transitioned into the field of Information Systems.

– I hope to contribute with my knowledge of design and human‑centred approaches. Especially when it comes to digitalisation, there is a lot to gain – we are increasingly encountering drawbacks and limitations connected to it. And digitalisation is an excellent bridge between the Service Research Center (CTF) and Information Systems, the two parts of Karlstad University to which I am affiliated. These days, there is no service without a digital component, and at the same time most people experience digital systems as services.

– The kitchen staff are leading the way in listening, challenging, and developing meals in a more sustainable direction, and they’re doing it together with the students, who agree, says Helén Williams, researcher at the Service Research Center (CTF).

Reports on climate change and the resulting pressure on food production are becoming increasingly frequent. A transformation of food production and consumption is needed to handle the crises ahead. The fact that we need more sustainable meals and reduced food waste is hardly news to anyone.

– School lunch is more than just a meal – it is one of the most important moments of the day for both well-being and learning, says Helén Williams. It should be completely natural to protect and develop the meal to contribute to the resilience society needs.

How can we make decisions that better reflect what truly matters to us? A new study by Jonas Hjalmar Blom, PhD student at the Service Research Center (CTF) at Karlstad University, shows that exercises which strengthen our connection to our “future selves” can make a significant difference in everyday life.

In the study, just over 1,000 participants completed a writing exercise in which they imagined a day in the future – either far ahead in time or only a few weeks away. The results were clear.

– Those who imagined a distant future felt a stronger connection to their future selves. They also lived more in line with their values than the others, says Jonas Hjalmar Blom, PhD Student in Psychology. They focused more on what was truly important to them, rather than on minor everyday distractions.

This year, the Service Research Center (CTF) at Karlstad University celebrates its 40th anniversary. The milestone will be marked throughout the year, including during the Customer Innovation Day and at a jubilee event in October.

CTF was founded in the mid-1980s. At that time, the service sector was growing rapidly, while knowledge about how service organisations are managed, developed and create value was limited. A group of researchers at Karlstad University therefore took the initiative to build a research environment focused on services, in close collaboration with businesses and regional partners. Professor Bo Edvardsson was one of those who laid the foundations for the centre.

Amie Gustafsson, PhD-student in Business Administration at Karlstad Business School and researcher at the Service Research Center (CTF), has been awarded the APA Doctoral Research Award by the American Phygital Association.

The prize is international and recognizes promising doctoral students who contribute to advancing the understanding of phygital science, a field focused on how the physical and digital worlds merge, and how this convergence affects both individuals and organizations. According to the jury’s motivation, Amie Gustafsson receives the award for her rigorous research, innovative thinking, and for providing a significant scientific contribution to the field.

How can reuse become both profitable and sustainable? What role can social robots play in the services and welfare systems of the future? How do we address challenges in working life, health, digitalisation and the climate transition? These questions are at the heart of Value-Creating Conversations – a seminar series created by CTF in collaboration with The Hamrin Foundation.

“Research creates real value only when it benefits society. Through Value-Creating Conversations, we share research-based knowledge beyond academia while also gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges faced in practice. It is a fantastic combination where research takes its place where it is needed most,” says Professor Per Kristensson, Director of CTF.

The seminar series has offered a new way of strengthening dialogue between academia, industry and the public sector, providing fresh perspectives on how current issues and complex societal challenges can be addressed.