Research Project “Navigating Digital Transformation in Unmanned Retail: Småland as a Case Study” Receives Funding

The research focuses on the rapidly growing trend of unmanned retail, where operations rely on digital technologies and customer self-service. Particular attention is given to the challenges that arise in these environments, where retail often depends on honesty and mutual trust within local communities.

As part of the project, the researchers will collaborate closely with local grassroots entrepreneurs in Småland. Through this engagement, they aim to identify key operational challenges and develop solutions that support the sustainable growth of unmanned retail, especially in rural areas.

“My research opened up important questions about how rural communities navigate digital change in ways that broader policy frameworks tend to overlook,” says Selcen Ozturkcan.

Soniya Billore found in her research that "Rural enterprises are optimistic about leveraging digital solutions to overcome labor shortages, seasonality, and geographic constraints, enabling scalable, data-driven services. However, achieving this potential requires strong support from local governance".

A key objective of the study is to propose a framework for scaling digital solutions and implementing them effectively in small-scale and rural retail environments.

The project is led by researchers Selcen Ozturkcan and Soniya Billore.