In our qualitative master thesis, we explore theories on sustainability in levels, ranging from very weak to very strong. We integrate academic theories with corporate perspectives to provide representatives in the corporate world with an alternative way of conversing and engaging mainly in strong sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a richer understanding of what corporate sustainability can be in practice. Our study is a collaboration with business leaders, designers, sustainability professionals and students. Using Design Science Research as an overarching framework for our method, we conducted interviews, focus groups and a survey. The academic theories and the insights from our data were then translated into a visual and verbal co-creation of an artefact (as it is called in Design Science Research). Wording and visualisations are inspired both from the corporate and the academic world. The artefact is intended to be a conversation starter which is hoped to lead to a shift in the strength with which companies work with sustainability, guided by an ecological case for business.

The fashion field has been called out for its involvement in social, cultural and environmental sustainability issues which range from animal and human exploitation to the pollution of ecosystems. Conversations on fashion and sustainability – on what the issues are, who is responsible, and what can be done to resolve them – have grown exponentially over the past decades, sparking actions that, although significant, are not committed or drastic enough to drive lasting change. In this thesis, I highlight fashion professionals as a key population within the fashion field with the potential to engage with sustainability by caring, acting and changing or driving change. I interviewed nine fashion professionals from different parts of the world who shifted their careers to tackle sustainability issues. These are individuals who are conflicted about working in a field that has negatively impacted people and the planet, but who have responded to this by engaging with as opposed to detaching themselves from sustainability issues. Their insights helped identify factors that impede or facilitate fashion professionals’ engagement with sustainability, unlocking answers and possible solutions to sustainability issues through caring, acting and changing.

When looking at shopping online there is a large amount of waste and mass consumption associated with it, therefore the topic of sustainability within e-commerce is a rising. There is research within shopping more sustainably for fashion and beauty, however there is a gap in the market when looking at the electronic goods sector. This thesis aims to add to the existing literature by showing shopping platforms how consumers interact with different sustainability indicators and whether they understand the value of sustainability indicators when looking at electronic goods. Thus, the purpose is to understand further the potential for shopping platforms to change the way consumers shop when given the opportunity to see sustainability indicators that are checked externally, in the electronic industry. An online survey took place to ask 160 respondents their opinions on sustainability and electronic e-commerce. The results showed that both social and environmental indicators were important. However, the working conditions of workers ranked higher than issues such as female-owned businesses, whereas environmental indicators were closer in their rankings. Furthermore, the results highlighted that the importance is not as much on whether the indicators are rankings or stand-alone indicators, but more that they are validated and transparent. People want to shop more sustainably and therefore if the information from this thesis is used by shopping platforms to showcase what companies do to be more sustainable, the hope it that brands will start to make those changes too.

Nowadays, the value creation and measurement of the economic performances have changed from traditional ways of maximizing shareholder’s wealth to maximizing stakeholder’s wealth. Companies are responsible for creating value not only for their organizationsbut also for the society as a whole because CSR issues attract a global attention and most countries are urging the companies to follow sustainable ways. In Nordic countries, Sweden is well known as a pioneer for sustainability and all the CSR activities aredisclosed in Sustainability or CSR reports. Although there are many researches related to the impacts of sustainability reporting and CSR performance on firm’s growth or financial performance, a research examining the relationship between CSR performance and stock price volatility of the companies cannot be found. Therefore, we aim to investigate the impact of the residual sustainability which is one of the dimensions to measure sustainability, on stock behaviorsand formulated the research question:What is the impact of Residual Sustainability on stock behaviors?The purpose of the thesis is to find out how residual sustainability is allocated in terms of monetary value, and whether this allocation of resources creates value for the shareholders or not. This leads to investigate the stock price volatility against the size of residual sustainability of the companies listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm. In adopting research methodology, we followed functionalist paradigm through the assumptions: regulatory side undersociology, objectivism under ontology, positivism under epistemology, and positivism under axiologybecause we consider that companies are rational entities and aim to provide rational explanation of whether residual sustainability haspossible impacts to stock behaviors or not. We answered the research question by adopting deductive approach. Based on exploratory and explanatory research, we designed archival research method to perform quantitative analysis in a cross-sectional study. We developed our theoretical framework based on Sustainable Enterprise Theory, Legitimacy Theory, Shareholder Theory, Stakeholder Theory and Resource-based view Theory and the analysis was conducted and discussed by relating with those theories. We extracted the data from EikonDataStream for years 2015, 2016 and 2017. We used different statistical methods to test normality of our variables, and run the tests with multilinear regression model to address our research question. The result indicates that there is no statistically significant relationship between residual sustainability and stock behaviorswithin the specific time frame. The possible reason is that the stock price is well adjusted before creating stock volatility because the sustainability in Sweden is likely to be predicted for the future. Secondly, most of the Swedish companies are fully utilized the residual fund for innovation, talent retention, research and development and other purposes and thereby it may create delay adjustment on stock price until value creation for organizationis generated.

The rapid increase in the adoption of global sourcing practices that took place in 1980’s led to significant transformations in traditional value chains, which were encompassed by single, vertically integrated organizations, and became globally dispersed networks of independent buyers and suppliers, where each of these firms performs specific value-adding activities that will ultimately result in that value chain’s final output. As concerns over the negative social and environmental impacts caused by industrial activity continue their rise to prominence, stakeholders are starting to realize that the changes through which value chain structures underwent have shifted the locus of corporate sustainability from individual focal firms to entire supply networks. This wider scope of stakeholder expectations has, thus, created a necessity for corporate sustainability initiatives to be diffused to all members of the supply network. Chapter one constitutes a theoretical investigation of the strategic relevance of corporate sustainability diffusion in global supply networks for both focal and non-focal firms within global supply networks, as well as the determining factors of a firm’s capacity to diffuse and performance in diffusing corporate sustainability within its supply network? The theoretical contributions of this study are divided into two parts. The first part seeks to establish a more solid cause and effect relationship to explain why firms that are more highly exposed to stakeholder scrutiny (i.e. focal firms) should necessarily face a higher risk of being held responsible for the sustainability-related misconducts of lesser exposed members of the network (i.e. supplier sustainability risk). The first part also proposes an expansion of the dichotomous categorization of corporate sustainability initiatives as either mandatory or voluntary, to add what we termed: semi-voluntary corporate sustainability initiatives. This addition serves to explain why certain firms adopt non-mandatory corporate sustainability initiatives, which apparently destroy shareholder value. We argue that this distinction is important because cases concerning semi-voluntary initiatives are likely to involve higher levels of supplier sustainability risk. In part two of the theoretical development we introduce a theoretical framework to explain the existing heterogeneity among different firms within a supply network in regards to their ability to implement the diffusion of corporate sustainability initiatives in the network (i.e. network dominance) and propose that it results from the interaction among three network-related firm characteristics: relative resource value, resource substitutability, and relative network position. Lastly, we discuss why higher levels of network dominance increase the likelihood that firms will be able to ensure a high level of corporate sustainability diffusion in the network. Chapter two aims at empirically testing a set of hypotheses derived from the propositions put forth in the second part of chapter one’s theoretical development Therefore, it seeks to answer questions, such as, who is responsible for ensuring that all network members meet the necessary corporate sustainability standards in order to adequately fulfill the demands of stakeholders? Why do some firms engage in corporate sustainability and others do not? What contributes to the effective diffusion of corporate sustainability in a supply network? These hypotheses are tested on a sample of 10,728 firms in the automotive sector, linked by 45,044 inter-firm relationships. Strong support for our hypotheses provides both researchers and managers with an interesting discussion of how this emerging business paradigm, where corporate sustainability is becoming the norm and no longer the exception, may have significant implications on how value chains are structured within this sector. / Business Administration/International Business Administration

The project focuses on the center of Tensta. The municipality of Stockholm has identified multiple developing areas in Stockholm, one of them being Tensta and especially Tensta centrum.  The main focus of this project is to think about and implement social and environmental sustainability through architecture. A big garage complex sits quite empty in the center of Tensta today, taking up valuable place of the center. In this project the garage complex is disassembled and its parts re- and upcycled to fit a new building in the site. The building's program consists of Järva stadsdelsförvatlning (Järva city administration office), Tensta library and a restaurant. A new square is also designed to make the center of Tensta a more welcoming place.

In recent years, sustainability has become more important for fast fashion companies to embrace. Partly because of climate change and partly because consumers’ demands are higher. To make a real difference, fast fashion companies need to communicate sustainability clearly, and consumers need to be receptive to this type of communication. Thereby, both fast fashion companies and consumers have responsibilities towards the environment. However, previous research shows that consumers lack comprehension of sustainability communication within the fast fashion industry. This leads to consumption of non-sustainable clothing items over sustainable clothing items. Based on the aforementioned, three main concepts were identified as pertinent to build upon, encompassing subconcepts. The main concepts are sustainability communication, consumer comprehension and purchasing decisions. The subconcepts are says what, to whom, motivation and engagement, word recognition, language comprehension, knowledge, intentions and action.  As previous research is scattered, this research is conducted to give a gathered understanding. The purpose of this research was to examine consumer comprehension of sustainability communication within the Swedish fast fashion industry. Additionally, considerable emphasis lay on purchasing decisions. To successfully do this, the primary data was collected through a pilot study and focus groups. More specifically, there were four focus groups with six participants in each.  The empirical findings, together with the literature review, concluded that consumers recognise environmental labels and designations but do not know what they stand for. Further, sustainability communication is placed in a positive category, despite lack of comprehension. The level of motivation and engagement is low, due to suspicions of greenwashing, among other things. Language comprehension was found to have no major impact on consumer comprehension of sustainability communication. Some felt that the communication should be concise and others felt that it should provide a broader perspective. Moreover, consumers notice the sustainability communication, however, they do not seek nor respond to it. These conclusions intend to create value for fast fashion companies.

Research Background: The Indian edible oil industry plays a vital role in the country's agricultural and economic landscape, ranking among the top producers globally. With favorable conditions for cultivating various oilseeds, India has become a significant player inthe edible oil market, contributing significantly to agricultural output and economic value.Micro, Small, and Medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) dominate the industrial sector inIndia, including the edible oil industry, accounting for a substantial portion of industrialoutput and employment. As sustainability becomes increasingly important, MSMEs facepressure to adopt lean and green manufacturing practices to address environmental concerns.Sustainability certifications have emerged as a solution, offering a competitive edge andenhancing environmental performance within organizations.This study aims to explore thechallenges and opportunities related to sustainability standards and certifications in IndianMSMEs within the edible oil industry, contributing to both theoretical understanding andpractical application in this domain. Research Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore the challenges encountered bysmall and medium-scale edible oil enterprises in India in adopting sustainability standardsand certifications. Additionally, it seeks to investigate how these certifications and standards,  specifically focused on sustainability, influence organizational sustainability within the Indian edible oil industry. Also, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the complexities ofsustainability adoption and its impact on organizational sustainability. Method: The study employs a qualitative approach to explore the intricacies encountered byMSMEs in the Indian edible oil sector regarding the integration of sustainabilitycertifications. Utilizing a single case study method, the research aims to provide valuableinsights and practical guidance through an inductive content analysis. Embracing a relativistic research paradigm, it acknowledges the influence of personal experiences and societal factors on participants' perspectives. Through purposive sampling, data is gathered from 10semi-structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams. The analysis focuses onidentifying emerging themes and patterns, illuminating the challenges and complexities facedby MSMEs in sustainability certification adoption. Additionally, it seeks to uncover thefactors shaping certification adoption and its implications for organizational sustainabilitywithin the industry. Conclusion: The results of this study shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by small and medium-scale edible oil enterprises in India regarding the adoption of sustainability standards and certifications. Through rigorous analysis, we identified the crucial role ofsupportive policies, incentives, and CSR practices in driving certification adoption.Furthermore, we highlighted the significant impact of certifications on organizationalsustainability, emphasizing their role in enhancing credibility, trust, and marketcompetitiveness. Ultimately, our findings underscore the importance of navigating hurdles and seizing opportunities to promote sustained growth, innovation, and competitiveness while contributing to environmental stewardship and social well-being within the MSME landscape.

Bakgrund och problem: Hållbarhet har blivit en integrerad del av företagsvärlden, och integreringen av hållbarhetsdirektiv är nu ett kommande krav för många företag inom Europeiska Unionen. Från och med 2024 kommer de första företagen att omfattas av kraven i Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), vilket innebär tvingande krav på deras verksamheter och en betydande omställning för många företag. I detta sammanhang förväntas hållbarhetskonsulter spela en central roll, genom att tolka och översätta direktivet till praktiska åtgärder och styrning som kan integreras i företagens verksamheter. Syfte: Studiens syfte är att analysera och beskriva hur CSRD översätts till tjänster av hållbarhetskonsulter. Genom att undersöka översättningsprocessen för hur CSRD går från idé till praktisk handling och styrning, skapar studien insikter i hur konsulter navigerar och anpassar sig till hållbarhetskrav och riktlinjer för att stödja deras klienter i hållbarhetsintegrering. Metod: Studien har antagit en kvalitativ forskningsmetod och genomförts genom en intervjustudie. Intervjuerna har varit semistrukturerade med erfarna CSRD-konsulter, vilket varit underlag till en stor del av empirin. Den insamlade empirin analyserades sedan mot det konceptuella ramverket och teori, där tematisering användes för att identifiera centrala mönster. Den tematisering som uppkommit genom att sätta empirin i relation till den konceptuella modellen har använts i analysen. Slutsats: Resultatet i denna studie visar på hur hållbarhetskonsulter spelar en central roll i att översätta och integrera hållbarhetsdirektivet CSRD i organisationer. Översättningsprocess involverar granskningar av direktivets texter, interna och externa diskussioner för att uppnå en samstämmig tolkning, och slutligen omformning av dessa tolkningar till praktiska verktyg och modeller. En viktig aspekt är risken för omstart i översättningsprocessen, vilket kan ske om kunderna inte finner de översatta direktiven relevanta eller begripliga. I framträdandet av ett nytt direktiv syftar studien till att bidra till litteraturen för integrering av hållbarhet och konsultation med hjälp av att applicera översättningsteorin. För att ge en ökad förståelse av hur konsulter översätter och integrerar ett nytt direktiv till verktyg och handlingar för företag. / Background and problem: Sustainability has become an integrated part of the corporate world, and the integration of sustainability directives is now an upcoming requirement for many companies within the European Union. Starting in 2024, the first group of companies will be subject to the requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which imposes mandatory demands on their operations and represents a significant transition for many companies. In this context, sustainability consultants are expected to play a central role by interpreting and translating the directive into practical actions that can be integrated into company operations. Purpose: The aim of the study is to analyze and describe how the CSRD is translated into services by sustainability consultants. By examining the translation process of how the CSRD moves from idea to practical action and governance, the study provides insights into how sustainability consultants navigate and adapt to sustainability requirements and guidelines to support their clients in sustainability integration. Method: The study has utilized a qualitative research method and has been conducted as an interview study. The interviews were semi-structured with experienced CSRD consultants, which formed the basis for a significant portion of the empirical data. The collected empirical data was then analyzed against the conceptual framework and theory, with thematic analysis used to identify central patterns. The themes that have emerged by relating the empirical data to the conceptual model have been used in the analysis.  Conclusion: The results of this study highlight how sustainability consultants play a crucial role in translating and integrating the CSRD sustainability directive into organizations. The translation process involves reviewing the directive's texts, internal and external discussions to achieve a consistent interpretation, and finally reshaping these interpretations into practical models and tools. A significant aspect is the risk of restarting the translation process, which can occur if clients do not find the translated directives relevant or comprehensible. With the introduction of a new directive, the study aims to add to the literature of integration of sustainability and consultation by applying translation theory, to enhance understanding of how consultants translate and integrate a new directive into tools and models for companies.

Master of Science / Department of Architecture / R. Todd Gabbard / Almost forty percent of the global energy use and one-third of the global greenhouse gas emission comes from the building industry. Thus, this sector has the largest potential for delivering long term substantial greenhouse gas reduction. (UNEP, 2009)This dissertation starts with the energy auditing of an architectural firm to calculate the amount of energy used. It then expands into addressing the issue on a greater perspective. The whole agenda of the thesis was to develop a strategy to include the building industry in global carbon market. This thesis was performed in collaboration with nationally recognized, medium-sized mid-western architecture firm. A yearlong internship was completed under this firm, and collaborative research was carried out. To reduce the carbon dioxide emission, it is crucial to be able to measure it. This thesis aims at creating basic guidelines for architecture firms to mitigate its carbon footprint. It also examines the possibilities of carbon footprint mitigation on a bigger scale by proposing a system that would encourage architectural and engineering firms to design and produce more energy efficient buildings. The proposed system deals with calculation and incorporation of creative handprint of an architectural firm and uses the system to rebate its carbon footprint and convert the surplus handprint to a credit in the carbon market. The argument made here is that this scheme is driven by incentives and encourages more architecture and engineering firms to design sustainable buildings. The final proposal links the entire building industry to the carbon market. The proposal made is that a positive handprint of architecture and engineering firms can be converted to carbon credits and traded in the carbon markets.