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Byggandet av Kirunas nya badhus En processpårning av ett kommunalt megaprojekt

Daunfeldt, Erik LU (2025) STVK05 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This thesis applies Bent Flyvbjerg’s theory of megaprojects to analyze whether the construction of the new swimming facility in Kiruna has been characterized by optimism bias and strategic misrepresentation. Using process tracing and two interviews, the study explores both internal and external factors behind the project's significant cost overruns and delays.

The findings indicate that while external events such as the covid-19 pandemic and post-invasion inflation following Russia’s war on Ukraine did contribute to higher costs, these alone cannot explain the full extent of the overruns. Initial estimates projected a cost of 360 million SEK, but the current total is approaching 1.4 billion SEK. Internal organizational problems,... (More)
This thesis applies Bent Flyvbjerg’s theory of megaprojects to analyze whether the construction of the new swimming facility in Kiruna has been characterized by optimism bias and strategic misrepresentation. Using process tracing and two interviews, the study explores both internal and external factors behind the project's significant cost overruns and delays.

The findings indicate that while external events such as the covid-19 pandemic and post-invasion inflation following Russia’s war on Ukraine did contribute to higher costs, these alone cannot explain the full extent of the overruns. Initial estimates projected a cost of 360 million SEK, but the current total is approaching 1.4 billion SEK. Internal organizational problems, repeated disregard for early warnings, and overly optimistic assumptions suggest clear signs of optimism bias. Furthermore, indications of strategic misrepresentation, such as discrepancies between invoiced and logged work hours and misleading budget statements from project’s consulting firm, raise concerns about deliberate or negligent misinformation during key stages of the project. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Daunfeldt, Erik LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK05 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Megaprojekt, optimism bias, strategic misrepresentation, processspårning, fallstudie
language
Swedish
id
9189827
date added to LUP
2025-08-08 10:37:38
date last changed
2025-08-08 10:37:38
@misc{9189827,
  abstract     = {{This thesis applies Bent Flyvbjerg’s theory of megaprojects to analyze whether the construction of the new swimming facility in Kiruna has been characterized by optimism bias and strategic misrepresentation. Using process tracing and two interviews, the study explores both internal and external factors behind the project's significant cost overruns and delays.

The findings indicate that while external events such as the covid-19 pandemic and post-invasion inflation following Russia’s war on Ukraine did contribute to higher costs, these alone cannot explain the full extent of the overruns. Initial estimates projected a cost of 360 million SEK, but the current total is approaching 1.4 billion SEK. Internal organizational problems, repeated disregard for early warnings, and overly optimistic assumptions suggest clear signs of optimism bias. Furthermore, indications of strategic misrepresentation, such as discrepancies between invoiced and logged work hours and misleading budget statements from project’s consulting firm, raise concerns about deliberate or negligent misinformation during key stages of the project.}},
  author       = {{Daunfeldt, Erik}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Byggandet av Kirunas nya badhus En processpårning av ett kommunalt megaprojekt}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}