DigitalWell Arena is now taking the next step in its long-term commitment to digital health innovation in Värmland. After several years focused on establishing a platform for research and collaboration, the work is now shifting towards the large-scale implementation and practical use of digital solutions.
Research at Karlstad University has been a central driving force behind DigitalWell Arena since its launch in 2019.
Christmas is a time for togetherness, traditions and generous meals – but also for increasing amounts of food waste. At the same time, a national debate is under way in Sweden about stricter targets to halve food waste. Researchers at Karlstad University therefore encourage people to think sustainably ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Christmas and New Year are approaching, and soon many of us will have the chance to catch our breath. When I look back at our 39th year, what I feel most of all is gratitude. Gratitude for all the knowledge developed within our team, for the collaborations with those of you who are close to CTF – and for the curiosity and willingness to contribute that so clearly permeate our work.
Throughout the year, we’ve had several experiences that truly demonstrated the strength of our research.
Black Friday tempts us with limited-time offers and massive discounts. But how do falling prices and ticking countdowns affect our behaviour? Per Kristensson, Professor of Psychology at Karlstad University, explains and shares his best advice for making more mindful choices.
Black Friday has become a global shopping phenomenon, stretching over an ever-longer period and marked by steep discounts – both in physical stores and online.
Siri Jakobsson Störe has been awarded the Swedish National Committee for Psychological Sciences’ prize for outstanding young researcher in psychology 2025. She receives the award for her research on insomnia and how sleep difficulties can be understood and treated.
– I’m very honoured, says Siri Jakobsson Störe, senior lecturer in psychology at Karlstad University.
Neshe Tuna is a PhD student in Information Systems at Karlstad University. Her research explores how co-creation and communities can drive innovation in complex environments where technology, policy, and culture intersect.
Hi Neshe, can you tell us about your research?
– I study how co-creation and communities can drive innovation, especially in contexts where technology, policy, and culture meet.
On November 6–7, the autumn meeting of the SQMA network – Swedish Quality Management Academy – was held at the Service Research Center (CTF) at Karlstad University.
Swedish Quality Management Academy was founded in 2012 to connect Sweden’s world-leading institutions in quality research.
In the western part of Karlstad’s city center, an extensive development initiative is underway to create a future sustainable and health-promoting urban environment.
The research project Gennovation at Karlstad University aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises in Värmland with better conditions for growth and enhanced competitiveness.
By integrating gender, equality, and inclusion as strategic tools for business development and innovation, the project seeks to contribute to more sustainable regional development.
Gennovation is a four-year project funded by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Til
In the article “Towards High Circularity: Reconfiguring Firm-level Strategy”, researchers Andrey Abadzhiev and Alexandre Sukhov, both from Karlstad Business School and the Service Research Center, want to inspire hope among companies in conservative industries that are seeking to transition towards more circular and sustainable solutions.
What does circular economy actually mean – and how does it differ from a traditional linear economy?
– Economics is fundamentally abou
In her doctoral thesis, Jana Huck, who recently completed her PhD in Business Administration, seeks to understand what idea development is really about by observing how people in various contexts work to improve an idea and pave the way to make it a reality.
Jana Huck got the impression that everyone talked about idea development as a phenomenon, yet without truly explaining or grasping what it actually involves – or even means.
“Hävstång Hälsa – systemledning för klimat och social hållbarhet (Hävstång Hälsa – System Leadership for Climate and Social Sustainability) is a research project you’re currently involved in. What’s it all about?
– It’s about sustainable societal development and is a collaborative project between Karlstad Municipality, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), and CTF.
Muhammad Murtaza Ali recently presented his licentiate thesis in business administration, where he identifies connections between the digitalisation of the music industry and educational initiatives for street children.
– Services shape human capabilities and well-being and it’s often the practical details that determine if a service actually is inclusive, says Muhammad.
What led you to focus on the connection between the music industry and educational initiatives for st
Robots guiding tourists, textile garment renovation, and the Ängsbacka course center in Molkom were among the highlights of Customer Innovation Day 2025.
The Swedish Innovation Index is based on responses from customers who rank companies and organizations based on their innovation capabilities and how attractive these innovations are perceived to be. Customers evaluate offerings, delivery, service, and interactions.Why is customer-based innovation interesting?
An intense and eventful half-year is coming to an end – and there is much to be proud of. Recently, I had the privilege of leading the international conference, QUIS19 – The 19th International Research Symposium on Service Excellence in Management, in Rome. Over 275 participants from around the world gathered to be inspired and to discuss how research can help address the major societal challenges of our time – such as AI development and sustainability.
