Syfte: Studien syftar till att öka förståelsen för relevansen av digital marknadsföring på sociala medier för B2B-företag inom järn- och stålindustrin och öka kunskapen om betydelsen av hållbarhet i marknadsföringssyfte på sociala medier för dessa företag. Metod: Studien har utgått från en kvalitativ forskningsansats där empiriinsamlingen består av data insamlat från 11 semistrukturella intervjuer. En kvalitativ riktad innehållsanalys togs i anspråk för att vidareutveckla och bekräfta redan befintliga teorier funna inom den teoretiska referensramen. Medan en hermeneutisk ansats användes för att analysera obekräftade teorier och befintliga teoretiska gap funna inom den teoretiska referensramen. Resultat och slutsats: Resultatet av studien indikerar att marknadsföringsrelevansen på sociala medier skiljer sig mellan börsnoterade och icke-börsnoterade företag, mellan olika positioner i företaget och företagets närhet till slutprodukt. Relevansen av marknadsföring på sociala medier skilde sig inte i rekryteringssyfte ur HR- chefens perspektiv, oavsett om företaget var börsnoterat eller icke-börsnoterat. Hållbarhet har en stor betydelse i marknadsföringssyfte på sociala medier och ger företagen konkurrensfördelar. Studiens bidrag: Chefer i olika järn- och stålindustriföretag och andra tunga tillverkningsindustrier kan ta hänsyn till studiens resultat för att öka sin förståelse för relevansen av digitalmarknadsföring på sociala medier samt betydelsen av hållbarhet i marknadsföringssyfte på sociala medier. Detta för att utveckla sin kommande eller befintliga digitala marknadsföring på sociala medier. Förslag till vidare forskning: Vidare forskning föreslås inkludera fler antal intervjurespondenter och företag i studien för att undersöka resultatet i större utsträckning. / Aim: The study aims to increase the understanding of the relevance of digital marketing on social media for B2B- companies in the iron- and steel industry and increase the knowledge of the importance of sustainability in the marketing purpose on social media for these companies. Method: The study used a qualitative research approach, where the collection of empirical data consisted of data collected from 11 semi-structural interviews. A qualitative targeted content analysis method was used to further develop and confirm existing theories found within the theoretical frame of reference. While a hermeneutic approach method was used to analyse unconfirmed theories and existing theoretical gaps found within the theoretical frame of reference. Result and conclusions: The result of the study indicates that the relevance of marketing on social media differs between listed and non-listed companies, between different positions in the company, and by the company's proximity to the end product. The relevance of marketing on social media did not differ in recruitment purposes from the HR manager's perspective, whether the company was listed or non-listed. Sustainability is of great importance for marketing purposes on social media and gives companies a competitive advantage. Contributions: Managers in various iron and steel industry companies and other heavy manufacturing industries can take the findings into account to increase their understanding of the relevance of digital marketing on social media and the importance of sustainability in the marketing purpose on social media for B2B-companies. For developing their upcoming or existing digital marketing on social media. Suggestion for further research: Further research is recommended to include more interview respondents and companies in the survey to examine the results to a greater extent.

Bakgrund och problem: Tidigare studier visar att antalet hållbarhetsrapporter växer men att det finns stora brister i kvaliteten i form av relevans och trovärdighet. Den svenska stålindustrin brukar få mycket mediauppmärksamhet för sina stora utsläpp, som år 2019 stod för 12,16%, av landets totala utsläpp. Sedan 2017 har det varit obligatoriskt för företag som uppfyller särskilda kriterier att hållbarhetsrapportera. Således uppstår frågan om hur lagkravet påverkat kvaliteten i dem svenska stålföretagens hållbarhetsrapporter mellan åren 2016–2019. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att granska och mäta kvaliteten i svenska stålföretagens hållbarhetsrapporter för att sedan se hur dem har förändrats mellan åren 2016–2019. Detta för att se hur införandet av obligatorisk hållbarhetsrapportering år 2017 har påverkat kvaliteten i hållbarhetsrapporterna. Resultaten av studien kan förslagsvis användas som underlag vid jämförelser med andra branscher. Metod: I denna studie har en longitudinell forskningsdesign valts för att följa kvalitetsutvecklingen från år 2016 till och med år 2019. Studien använder sig av en kvalitativ innehållsanalys utifrån ett kodningsschema för att undersöka kvaliteten i form av relevans och trovärdighet i hållbarhetsrapporterna. Resultat och slutsats: Resultatet stöds av tidigare forskning och visar att kvaliteten ihållbarhetsrapporterna har ökat successivt över åren 2016–2019. Den lägsta nivån har höjts avsevärt i både relevans och trovärdighet samtidigt som CSR-aktiviteterna blivit mer homogena över tid. Företag som tillämpad GRI:s standarder får högre kvalitet i sina rapporter. Tydligare lagar och krav på innehåll och standarder kan leda till hållbarhetsrapporterna kan få ökad kvalitet och jämförbarhet. / Background and problem: Previous studies show that the number of sustainability reports is growing, but that there are major shortcomings in quality in the form of relevance and credibility. The Swedish steel industry usually receives a lot of media attention for its large emissions, which in 2019 accounted for 12.16% of the country's total emissions. Since 2017, it has been mandatory for companies that meet special criteria to report sustainability. Thus, the question arises as to how the legal requirement affected the quality of the Swedish steel companies' sustainability reports between the years 2016–2019. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine and measure the quality of Swedish steel companies' sustainability reports and then see how they have changed between the years 2016–2019. This is to see how the introduction of mandatory sustainability reporting in 2017 has affected the quality of the sustainability reports. The results of the study can be used as a basis for comparisons with other industries. Method: In this study, a longitudinal research design has been chosen to follow the quality development from 2016 to 2019. The study uses a qualitative content analysis based on acoding scheme to examine the quality in terms of relevance and credibility in the sustainability reports. Results and conclusions: The results are supported by previous research and show that the quality of the sustainability reports has increased gradually over the years 2016–2019. The lowest level has been raised significantly in both relevance and credibility, while CSR activities have become more homogeneous over time. Companies that apply GRI's standards get higher quality in their reports. Clearer laws and requirements for content and standards can lead to sustainability reports can increase quality and comparability.

Thesis (M.Com. (Development Theory and Policy))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economic and Business Sciences, 2016. / Aims and objectives: The objective of this study is to unpack the processes that the South African government has embarked upon with a view to averting a deepening crisis in the ailing steel sector. This study specifically investigates the parts of the package that have been launched to date, namely the tariff support requested by the steel industry and designation of the steel industry for government procurement. [No actual abstract provided] / MT2017

Blockkedjeteknik är en trendig och omdiskuterad teknik som både hyllas och sägs kunna komma att revolutionera samhället. Samtidigt avvisas tekniken som en överskattad hajp av dess kritiker. Syftet med detta examenarbete är att beskriva grunderna i blockkedjetekniken och att lyfta fram var inom SSAB den potentiellt skulle kunna komma till nytta. Två givna avgränsade områden (valsning och logistikdelen ”slutprodukt till kund”) utvärderas också utifrån perspektivet hur blockkedjeteknik där skulle kunna tillgodose SSABs aktuella behov. En litteraturstudie ligger till grund för beskrivningen av blockkedjetekniken. De två givna avgränsade områdena är utvärderade utifrån blockkedjeteknikens egenskaper identifierade i litteraturstudien och de behov som identifierats inom respektive givna område. Resultatet är att blockkedjetekniken är i en utvecklingsfas och måste mogna innan den kan appliceras fullt ut. De eventuella blockkedjelösningar som rekommenderas i examensarbetet är av så kallad privat och begränsad karaktär. En publik obegränsad blockkedja bedöms inte vara nödvändig då de aktörer som skulle använda blockkedjan är begränsade i antal och alla kan antas ha incitament för att anses som pålitliga. De identifierade områdena inom SSAB som lyfts fram som lämpliga för en blockkedjelösning är logistikkedjan och produktdata. En blockkedjelösning för de involverade aktörerna i logistikkedjan skulle innebära en ökad spårbarhet och transparens, samt skapa förutsättningar för optimering av processer genom delning av data mellan de olika aktörerna. En blockkedjelösning för produktdata är av mer visionär karaktär och de fördelar en sådan lösning skulle innebära är även här spårbarhet och transparens med effekter som skulle kunna skapa rättvisare handeloch effektivare återbruk eller återvinning. Resultatet av utvärderingen av det givna avgränsade området valsning är att en blockkedjelösning inte är aktuell då behovet av produktspårbarhet är internt. En internt distribuerad databas, tekniken som blockkedjan bygger på, kan enklare tillmötesgå detta behov. Resultatet av utvärderingen av den givna avgränsade logistikdelen slutprodukt till kund är en ökad spårbarhet, transparens och skapar förutsättningar för optimering av processer genom delning av data mellan de olika aktörerna. En av de största utmaningarna är att få till det viktiga samarbete som är enförutsättning i den gemensamma distribuerade tekniklösning som blockkedjan är. Blockkedjans potential uppnås av synergier mellan företag och att de involverade aktörerna enskilt kan dra nytta av de fördelar som uppstår. / Blockchain is a trendy and controversial technology that is both praised and said to revolutionize society. At the same time the technology is rejected as an overestimated hype by its critics. The aim of this master thesis is to describe the basics of the blockchain technology and to highlight where within SSAB it could potentially be of benefit. Two given defined areas (rolling and the logistics part "end product to customer") are also evaluated from the perspective of how blockchain technology could meet SSAB's current needs. A literature study is the basis for the description of the blockchain technology. The two given defined areas are assessed based on the characteristics of the blockchain technology identified in the literature study and the needs identified in each area. The result is that the blockchain technology is in a development phase and must mature before it can be fully applied. The possible blockchain solutions that are recommended in the master thesis are of so-called private and limited character. A public unlimited blockchain is not considered necessary because the users of the presumed blockchain are limited in number and everyone can be assumed (to have incentives) to be considered reliable. The identified areas within SSAB that are suitable for blockchain solutions are the logistics and product data. A blockchain solution for the involved companies in the logistics would mean increased traceability and transparency, and create conditions for optimizing processes by sharing data between the companies. A blockchain solution for product data is of a more visionary character and the advantages that such a solution would entail are also traceability and transparency with effects that could create fairer trade and more efficient recycling or remanufacturing. The outcome of the evaluation of the given defined area rolling is that a blockchainsolution is not suitable when the need for product traceability is internal. An internal distributed database, the technology on which the blockchain is based, can more easily meet this need. The result of the evaluation of the given delimited logistics part of the end product to the customer is an increased traceability and transparency, and create the conditionsfor optimizing processes by sharing data between the different companies. One of the biggest challenges is to achieve the important collaboration that is a necessity in a cooperatively distributed technology solution that the blockchain is. The potential of the blockchain is achieved by synergies between companies and that the actors involved can take advantage of the benefits that arise.

As part of the European Union’s climate commitment including the adoption of the Paris agreement, the European commission has developed a long-term strategy with the goal to reach net zero CO2emissions in 2050. To achieve this, a transformation of the European industry is necessary, as it represents 30% of EU’s total emissions. A major challenge will be to cut emissions in the CO2intensive steel industry, which is considered hard to abate. To reach the Paris agreement, deep emission cuts are necessary to occur within a decade, before cumulative emissions are too high. Today, about 60% of all steel in the EU is produced using coke as feedstock, a process resulting in large CO2 emissions. A new process in which hydrogen is used instead of coke is under development, with no direct CO2 emissions as result. The implementation of such technologies can help shift the production from fossil based to renewable, with declining emissions as a result. Until now, most abatement methods are focused on the supply side, finding technical solutions that can reduce emissions. This study shows that technology can play an important role in the transformation of the steel industry but will not alone achieve the necessary reductions fast enough. To achieve near-zero emissions in the steel industry, the solution set needs to widen to include demand side measures. The results show that circular economy principles that promote higher shares of recycled steel and reduced losses have the potential to lower total demand. This also applies for circular business models, by which incentives for higher utilisation and lifetimes of products can be created. In this report, demand-side measures are analysed using a stock-based steel demand model. It is estimated that demand-side measures can decrease the steel demand by 27% in 2050, compared to a business as usual scenario. Applying circular principles would also increase the share of recycled steel being produced from old steel scrap, a process far less CO2 intensive than virgin production. The findings are, that demand side measures can provide immediate deep emission cuts necessary, saving time before new technologies are implemented. The lower steel demand also helps making the transition from fossil to fossil-free steel production easier. By a combination of demand side reductions and hydrogen-DR the steel industry in Europe can reach near-zero emissions by 2050.

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No description available.

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In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on sustainability, not only from the society but also from companies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). For instance, The United Nations (UN) has adopted 17 global objectives for sustainable development. Within the European Union, the current Commission has an ambition that Europe will be the first climate-neutral continent and has launched the European Green Deal with the main message of resetting the European Union’s economy for a sustainable future. One industry that has a major impact on the environment, as well as on society, is the industrial sector. The awareness of the impact on future generations from the industrial sector has increased among governments, producers and consumers. Because of this many companies in the industrial sector are acting on these expectations. Companies which choose to integrate sustainability in the business can gain long-term competitive advantages in term of first-mover advantages as well as economic benefits. Despite that there is huge potential with integrating sustainability in the business, it is difficult to do so. This in turn, leads to a focus on short-term profit instead of long-term competitive advantages and sustainable profit. With this in mind, it is interesting to study how aspects of sustainability can be integrated in the traditional business model and therefore be classified as a sustainable business model. Which leads to the purpose of this study; to examine how the business model can be used as a tool to develop the work of sustainability in a mediumsize steel company. Furthermore, drivers and barriers regarding how enterprises can integrate aspects of sustainability have been examined. To address the purpose, this study has focused on a company in the steel industry in Linköping. The study is a qualitative study focused around interviews with people in the corporate and operational level. Moreover, a litterature study has been conducted where teories regarding strategy, business models, sustainability and sustainable business model, as well as teories regarding drivers and barriers, have been analyzed. The result from the study indicates that there are several elements which are crucial for integrating aspects of sustainability in the business model. These aspects can be highligheted by Triple Layered Business Model Canvas, TLBMC, which is a tripartite business model made up of an economic, environmental and social canvas. Some examples of elements which are crucial are Costs, Partners, Value Proposition, Customer Relationships, Materials, Production, Distribution, Supplies and Out-sourcing, Environmental Benefits, Employees, Governance and Local Communities. The primarily drivers are customers and an increased demand for sustainable products, regulations and lower operating costs. The largest barriers are lack of communication and balancing the three pillars of sustainability.

BACKGROUND - The development of Industry 4.0 increases the opportunities to both automate and digitize processes in the manufacturing industry. The steel industry has been around for many years, which means firmly anchored operations and both manual- and automated processes. To make better decisions, identify bottlenecks, and test new functions without having to stop the production, a digital model of the process can be helpful. Furthermore, with the rapid development of technology, digital models can be further developed into digital twins. A digital twin should be able to handle the communication between the physical- and digital world automatically and analyze data to make decisions in the process. RESEARCH QUESTIONS What are the challenges of developing a digital model representing a production line within a global steel manufacturing company? What opportunities could a digital model of a production line entail, and how could Industry 4.0 technologies create opportunities to further develop the digital model into a digital twin? METHODS - In this project, both a literature- and case study have been carried out. During the literature study, techniques that can be used to develop the digital model further have been investigated. During the case study, a digital model of a Quench Line was developed to gather practical experience of what it can mean to create a digital model of a manufacturing process within a steel manufacturing company. The model has been developed in MATLAB/Simulink. RESULTS - The most significant challenges when developing digital flow simulation models identified in this project were data management/access, handling variations, verifying the model, andlack of knowledge linked to digital models in general. The opportunities identified and confirmed in this project were that the model could be used to carry out new logistics planning, bottleneck analyses, and test new machine implementations. To further develop the digital model into a digital twin, Industry 4.0 technologies will be crucial. The technologies that will be useful are the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, and Big Data.