Le travail réalisé dans le cadre de cette thèse propose une démarche de sélection de partenaires (fournisseurs et prestataires) dans une chaîne logistique durable en boucle fermée. Il s’agit d’évaluer les partenaires en fonction de critères économiques, environnementaux, et sociétaux puis de sélectionner ceux qui interviennent dans la chaîne logistique en respectant un ensemble des contraintes. Nous développons une méthode d’évaluation et de classement des partenaires basée sur une approche hybride en utilisant les méthodes AHP et PROMETHEE, dans un environnement flou. Ensuite, nous proposons un modèle mathématique multi-objectif qui permet non seulement de minimiser le coût total de la chaîne logistique, mais également de maximiser la valeur totale de l’approvisionnement, minimiser les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et maximiser le bénéfice sociétal. Nous utilisons une approche max-min pondérée pour résoudre le modèle proposé à l’aide de l’outil de modélisation et d’optimisation GAMS. / Reverse logistics network design is a crucial issue in which it is important to take into account the selection of the most appropriate partner with sustainability concerns. This partner can be a supplier or a third-party reverse logistics provider (3PRLP). However, research works that consider reverse logistics (RL) network design, partner selection, and sustainability issues simultaneously are rather limited till now. This research work proposes an integrated sustainable approach for partner selection and closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) network configuration, particularly in the case of outsourcing reverse logistics process to third-party provider. We propose a trade-off between sustainability criteria for both supplier and 3PRL provider selection. A multi-objective mixed-integer programming (MILP) model is also proposed to configure CLSC network and to select the best partners. The model minimizes the total cost of sourcing, and the total greenhouse gas emissions, while it maximizes the total value of reverse logistics, and the number of new job opportunities. A numerical example is also presented to illustrate the proposed approach.

Until recently, the concept of green logistics has been disregarded by various logistics and transport companies in South Africa. The study on which this dissertation is based explored the green logistics practices that these companies are currently implementing in terms of the key drivers, benefits and barriers. A quantitative research approach was followed, were a survey (Lime) served as the primary research instrument. A census was conducted among 160 companies in Gauteng. The results of the study revealed a significant difference between SMEs (<200) and large (200 and above) companies with regard to their importance rating on green logistics practices. To achieve the primary objective of the study, a framework in green logistics was drafted for SMEs and large companies in South Africa, which outlined practices and opportunities companies can implement in their own businesses to benefit from ‘going green’. The usefulness of the latter mentioned guidelines needs to be tested in future research. / Public Administration and Management / M.. Com. (Logistics Management)

Det är inte längre bara ekonomiska faktorer som bidrar till ett företags långsiktiga framgång, utan numera blir också sociala och miljömässiga faktorer allt mer påtagliga. För dagens moderna konsumenter blir hållbarhet ett mer centralt kriterium och allt fler anser att det är viktigt att företag arbetar aktivt med hållbarhetsfrågor. Produkter är en essentiell del i företags arbete med hållbarhet och de förväntas inte bara att skapa produkter som bidrar med nytt värde, utan de förväntas även göra detta på ett hållbart sätt. En övervägande del av produktens nivå av hållbarhet bestäms i produktutvecklingen, då dennes attribut i stort sett är fixerade när den är klar för produktionslinjen. Detta innebär att det är av central vikt att integrera hållbarhet redan i produktutvecklingen.   Denna studie kommer att fokusera på hållbar produktutveckling, där vi kommer ta en bred och okonventionell ansats genom att titta på designbeslut kopplat till produktlivscykeln, tillsammans med interna förutsättningar för utvecklingen av hållbara produkter, samt hållbara innovationer. Detta kommer sedan att appliceras i den svenska båtindustrin, vilket dels är en bransch vi är intresserade av och dels är en bransch där hållbarhet blir alltmer aktuellt. Det teoretiska ramverket är grundpelaren i studien och vår intention är att bidra med större förståelse för hur dessa teorier kan associeras med det som faktiskt sker i branschen idag. Vårt syfte är således att undersöka på vilket sätt och till vilken grad företag inom den svenska båtindustrin implementerar hållbarhet vid utvecklingen av nya båtar. Studien syftar vidare att fylla luckan gällande hållbar produktutveckling i den svenska båtindustrin, då detta är outforskat i dagsläget. Studien syftar även på att ge en mer sammansvetsad bild av hållbar produktutveckling och bidra med ett bredare perspektiv än enbart de individuella ämnesdelarna.    För att uppfylla syftet har vi genomfört en kvalitativ studie, där vi genom sex stycken djupgående semistrukturerade intervjuer med ledare av svenska båtföretag har skapat oss en god inblick i hållbarhetens roll vid utvecklingen av nya båtar. Studien har präglats av ett deduktivt angreppssätt där vi har varit teoridrivna, samt att vi subjektivt har försökt att tolka och förstå informanternas syn och ageranden gällande hållbar produktutveckling i branschen. För att analysera det empiriska materialet har en tematisk analys använts, och det resulterade i att våra tre huvudämnen även bildade de tre huvudtemana.    Utifrån studiens resultat kan vi konstatera att hållbarhet i dagsläget inte har en övervägande roll vid designen och utvecklingen av nya båtar inom den svenska båtindustrin. Vissa delar av produktlivscykeln ser ljusa ut från ett hållbarhetsperspektiv, men det finns mer att göra i framtiden för att cykeln ska vara fullt ut optimerad. Rådande interna förutsättningar finns det också ljusglimtar när det kommer till hållbarhetsaspekter, men även här finns det stor utvecklingspotential för framtiden. Företagens innovationsarbete när det gäller hållbarhet präglas till stor del av försiktighet, vilket förmodligen lämpar sig bäst för marknaden i dagsläget. Marknadskraven på hållbarhet förväntas dock öka i framtiden och i takt med att företagen ser det som en affärsmöjlighet kommer förändringar mycket troligt att ske i deras innovationsarbete.

This paper explores the extent to which corporations currently increase the voluntary disclosures in triple bottom line (TBL) reports. Although research already has provided substantial contributions as to why and how firms apply TBL reporting, there remains limited understanding of the motivations for and against making voluntary disclosures. Drawing from literature in environmental management and accounting as well as international auditing, this work focuses on guidance, boundarysetting and external assurance for TBL reports. An inductive case study approach is applied to investigate the credibility of TBL reporting by contrasting the competing predictions from legitimacy theory and voluntary disclosure theory on voluntary disclosures. A set of firm and industry specific factors are identified that are expected to determine a firm’s level and extent of reporting. The sample comprises nine US and EU red biotechnology corporations which aligned their TBL reporting to the GRI reporting standards in at least part of their TBL reports that were published between 2000 and 2009. An initial attempt is made to systematically investigate the credibility of TBL reporting to develop the model of voluntary disclosures. The empirical findings of this case study suggest that current guidance, boundary-setting and assurance for TBL reports are not sufficient to increase the credibility, comparability and reliability of reporting. Voluntary disclosure theory can serve to provide economic motivations, while legitimacy theory is helpful to provide a legitimating motivation. The findings support the notion that the economics-based factors better explain the secrecy strategy of providing mainly soft disclosures. The increase of disclosure levels maybe is considered sufficient to respond to public pressure. This work concludes by suggesting some directions of research in the areas of boundary-setting and assurance that have academic and practical implications.

This study has been conducted on behalf of Vectura Consulting AB with the purpose to examine how different actors perceive the dimensions of sustainability and sustainable construction. The purpose is also to provide an understanding of existing barriers and opportunities for sustainable construction within the industry and exemplify with different directions for the actors in order to develop sustainability. The study has approach the research problem by using systems theory, developed by Checkland, to identify the relevant system. Other systems theories has been used as an theoretical framework in order to identify barriers and opportunities, which in this study are based on Hughes’s theory about reverse salients and salients. Interviews with a selection of different actors in the industry and prior research have in this study served as empirics and the perspective of the systems theory defines the necessary tools to be used. The study shows that no consistency prevails regarding the definition of sustainability among the actors. Although, the environmental aspect of sustainability is prioritized by a majority of the actors oppose to social and economic aspects. Furthermore, for some of the actors economy is governing while for others it is decisive. Sustainable construction is characterized by a long-term parallel process with incentives such as branding, recruiting, and optimized operations. Moreover, the study indicates a willingness among the actors to define the concept of sustainability in order to achieve an industry wide definition. Such a definition would be of benefit for simplifying procurement and developing sustainable construction. The study identified two barriers and two opportunities. The actors agrees on that the procurement regulations of the Swedish infrastructure authority “Trafikverket” in combination with contracts defined by multiple products, and the objectives of Trafikverket,  are the two main barriers for holding back the development of sustainability in the industry. However, Trafikverket’s goal to increase the number of contracts based on function is seen as an opportunity as it enables creativity and innovation and a possible side effect of sustainable development. In addition, side bids from different actors are considered as a driver that will accelerate Trafikverket’s work regarding sustainability and especially sustainable construction. Finally, the authors give examples of directions for the industry to enhance sustainable construction and by doing so the authors connect vision with practice.

Denna studie behandlar jämförbarhet inom hållbarhetsrapportering inom fordonsindustrin i Sverige. Tidigare forskning har visat att det finns brister i jämförbarhet gällande hållbarhetsredovisningar. Denna studie undersöker om detta fortfarande föreligger, och i så fall på vilket sätt och varför, med hjälp av en nulägesanalys. Studien undersöker även vilka förbättringsmöjligheter som finns bland identifierade brister. Studien är en kvalitativ studie med data i form av hållbarhetsrapporter. Resultatet från forskningen visade att jämförbarhet i fordonsindustrin i Sverige fortfarande brister. Intressenternas krav identifieras som främsta anledningen för brister i jämförbarhet, då det är per deras efterfrågan bolagen redovisar. Studien kom också fram till att skillnader i typ av kärnverksamhet hos företagen också är en determinant för detta. Förslag till förbättringar ges genom bättre integration av hela värdekedjan i hållbarhetsrapporteringen, samt ökad harmonisering av processer genom samarbete med branschorganisationer. Vidare ges förslag på skärpta och mer lämpliga formkrav av lagstiftning och bättre samarbete med lagstiftare och branschorganisationer för att uppnå detta. Författarna ger förslag för vidare forskning att undersöka de identifierade, såväl oidentifierade orsaker till brister i jämförbarhet och i vilken mån de är ansvariga för detta fenomen. / This study concerns comparability in sustainability reporting within the automotive sector in Sweden. Existing research has shown deficiencies in comparability of sustainability reports. The aim of the study is to examine, through an analysis of the current state of sustainability reporting, whether these shortcomings still exist and if so, how and why they present themselves. The study also aims to provide possible solutions for any identified deficiencies. The study is a qualitative study using empirical data in the form of sustainability reports. The results of the study show that sustainability reports in the automotive sector in Sweden still exhibit deficiencies in comparability. Stakeholder demands are identified as the primary reason for differences in reporting practices, as it’s per their demand that corporations report sustainability information. The study also identifies differences in the companies’ core activity as a determinant for this. Possible solutions are suggested as increased integration of the sustainability reporting of the value chain as a whole, as well as harmonisation of processes through cooperation with industry associations. Furthermore, increased quality control through legislation is suggested as well as increased cooperation between legislators and industry associations in order to achieve this. The authors suggest that further research can be aimed at identifying the respective importance of these different causes for shortcomings in comparability, as well as possible unidentified factors. The study was conducted and is presented in Swedish.

Background: There are several strategies that focal companies can opt for to manage their supplychain. Different combinations of configurations and governance mechanisms are argued to havedifferent sustainability outcomes. First, main firms need to decide if they manage the relationshipwith suppliers themselves or if they hire a third party. Second, the buying companies could leadthe relationship with providers by incorporating collaboration or relying on industry certificates.Besides, Swedish companies, as well as Swedish citizens, are claimed to be highly sustainable.Purpose: The goal of this project is to discover the strategies top Swedish companies implementin their supply chains regarding sustainability, and their influence on the position of the companyin the Sustainable Brand Index. As a result, this project will help to determine which specificactions are most likely to lead to increased supply chain sustainability.Method: To fulfil the research purpose, a qualitative study has been conducted. Seven case studies,consisting of five semi-structured interviews with employees from Swedish companies, and twoperipherical secondary-data based ones, were coded and analysed using the grounded analysisfollowing an abductive approach.Conclusion: The results show that the configuration framework available in the literature is notas accurate as it could be, therefore, a new one is proposed. The combination that appeared to havethe best sustainability outcomes entailed a partially closed configuration i.e., extending monitoringto lower tiers, and a spectrum in the governance mechanisms gathering focal company owninitiatives and certifications.

[pt] A gestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos domésticos (GRSU) é um problema central nas cidades do mundo inteiro. A quantidade de resíduos produzidos diariamente nessas áreas desafia a sociedade a melhorar suas práticas de gerenciamento de resíduos. Embora países desenvolvidos como a Alemanha tenham alcançado resultados respeitáveis com diferentes iniciativas de GRSU, países em desenvolvimento ainda lutam para ser eficazes com suas políticas. Dado o constante crescimento das favelas, a falta de recursos econômicos, a desigualdade social e a falta de participação dos principais atores do processo, países como o Brasil ainda não encontraram o caminho certo para um sistema sustentável de gestão de resíduos, que é uma parte essencial da gestão sustentável da cadeia de suprimento (SSCM). Embora a literatura ofereça um grande e crescente número de publicações em SSCM e GRSU, há uma falta de estudos ligando os dois temas, especialmente considerando a realidade prática de um país em desenvolvimento. A presente tese visa preencher esta lacuna estudando formas de melhorar a GRSU nos países em desenvolvimento incorporando os conceitos da SSCM a partir da perspectiva da indústria, do setor público e da comunidade local, no sentido de apresentar alternativas para sua melhoria no Brasil. Para isso, foi adotada uma abordagem multimétodo com quatro etapas principais de pesquisa: primeiro, uma Revisão Sistemática da Literatura em SSCM; em segundo, um estudo de caso longitudinal na favela da Rocinha localizada na cidade do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil); em terceiro, uma análise interna e cruzada do GRSU entre duas cidades do Brasil (Macaé) e da Alemanha (Münster); e, finalmente, uma pesquisa com residentes da região metropolitana de Macaé para compreender sua aceitação quanto a adoção das práticas alemãs. A violência presente em favelas brasileiras, assim como a necessidade de moradia em outro país foram os maiores desafios ligados aos estudos de caso citados. Os principais resultados da pesquisa indicam que para enfrentar os problemas ambientais relacionados ao GRSU nos países em desenvolvimento, é necessário resolver questões sociais básicas relacionadas à educação, segurança e infraestrutura, com a integração e apoio do governo, da comunidade local e da indústria. A comparação com o sistema alemão indica que a indústria brasileira ainda está longe de cumprir os pilares social e ambiental do SSCM e deve ser considerada economicamente responsável pelo ciclo de vida de seus produtos, enfrentando o princípio da responsabilidade ampliada do produtor (EPR). Este investimento adicional pode permitir a melhoria das condições de trabalho, investimento em tecnologias e em campanhas públicas regulares para aumentar a educação em assuntos importantes na área de sustentabilidade, levando à formalização da cadeia de reciclagem. Os pilares do sistema alemão (i.e., leis claras, campanhas públicas regulares e a metodologia de taxas) aparecem como uma solução viável para a GRSU nos países em desenvolvimento, porém os resultados da pesquisa indicam que a população ainda não está disposta a pagar (WTP) por todos os custos envolvidos no processo, especialmente aqueles relacionados à coleta/tratamento de recicláveis. Este cenário reforça a necessidade de grandes campanhas educacionais, sobretudo em escolas, que fortaleçam uma visão holística e multi-perspectiva capaz de ampliar a compreensão do problema. Para facilitar esta agenda, também são apresentadas diretrizes para apoiar os formuladores de políticas públicas nos países em desenvolvimento a lidarem com os desafios associados ao GRSU, e para cumprir as Metas de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (MDS) relacionadas. Finalmente, esta pesquisa contribui para que acadêmicos e profissionais forneçam evidências empíricas para enriquecer o debate contínuo sobre o tema, dado que esta não apenas apresenta situações de casos reais em diferentes realidades, mas também destaca questões que devem ser consideradas e gerenciadas na prática, no desenvolvimento e na implementação de técnicas apropriadas para lidar com o GRSU nos países em desenvolvimento. / [en] Urban household solid waste management (UHSWM) is a central problem in cities worldwide. The amount of waste produced daily in urban areas challenges society to improve its waste management (WM) practices. While developed countries like Germany have achieved respectable results with different UHSWM initiatives, developing countries still struggle to be effective with their policies. Given the constant growth of slums, the lack of economic resources, the social inequality, and the lack of participation of the main stakeholders of the process, countries like Brazil still have not found the right path towards a sustainable WM system, which is an essential part of the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). Although the literature offers a large and growing number of publications in SSCM and UHSWM, there is a lack of studies linking the two themes, especially considering the practical reality of a developing country. The present thesis aims to fulfill this gap by analyzing UHSWM integrating the principles of the SSCM from the perspective of industry, public sector, and the local community, towards presenting alternatives for its improvement in Brazil. To achieve this goal, a multimethod approach with four main research steps was adopted: firstly, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) in SSCM; secondly a longitudinal case study at the Rocinha slum located in the city Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); thirdly a within and cross-case analysis on UHSWM between two cities from Brazil (Macaé) and Germany (Münster); and finally, a survey with residents of the metropolitan area of Macaé to understand their acceptance of German practices. The violence present in Brazilian slums, as well as the need to live in another country were the biggest challenges linked to the case studies cited. The main research findings indicate that to tackle environmental problems related to UHSWM in developing countries, it is necessary to solve basic social issues related to education, security, and infrastructure, with the integration and support of government, local community, and industry. The comparison with the German UHSWM system indicates that the Brazilian industry is still far from fulfilling the social and environmental pillars of SSCM and should be held economically responsible for the life cycle of its products, facing the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR). This additional investment can enable improvement in work conditions, in technologies, and on regular public campaigns to increase education in important sustainable matters, leading to the formalization of the recycling chain. The pillars of the German system (i.e., clear laws, regular public campaigns, and fee methodology) appear as a viable solution to improve UHSWM in developing countries, however the research findings indicate that Brazilians are still not willing to pay (WTP) for all the costs involved in this process, especially those related to the collection and treatment of recyclables. This scenario reinforces the need for large educational campaigns, especially in schools, strengthening a holistic and multi-perspective view to increase the comprehension of the problem. To facilitate this agenda, a guideline with feasible alternatives to support policy makers in developing countries to deal with the challenges associated to UHSWM, and to meet the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is also presented. This research contributes to academics and practitioners providing empirical evidence to enrich the ongoing debate on the topic, as it not only presents real-life case situations in different realities, but also highlights issues that should be considered and managed in a real context to develop and implement appropriate techniques to deal with UHSWM in developing countries.

In light of globalisation and sustainability challenges, the potential of shared mobility, or Mobility as a Service (MaaS), has been acknowledged as a way to improve mobility and transport both for the individual user and society at large. A specific type of mobility is that of corporate mobility, or how companies enable their employees to transport themselves during the workday as well as to and from work. This is a an area where MaaS has previously not been applied, thus potentially creating an unexplored business opportunity for someone to offer shared mobility as a service towards companies in need of efficient corporate mobility. To investigate the new solution of corporate Mobility as a Service (cMaaS) and the potential to transform it into a service offered to external customers, this study has been carried out as a single case study applying a business model perspective to the pilot project Sustainable Mobility Services Södertälje, where MaaS is applied to an existing corporate mobility solution. Inquiries have revolved around what constitutes a cMaaS service and what value is created from it, as well as what value a potential customer and their potential users envision. Lastly, we investigate practical challenges associated with our specific case, as well as strategic challenges regarding the business model design for cMaaS. Our findings help to describe the novel concept of cMaaS and propose a definition of it, based on previous definitions of corporate mobility and MaaS. Furthermore, the study concludes that value from cMaaS is multi-dimensional and hard to account for in a single value proposition, both due to the interrelationship between customer and users, and the sustainability value created from it. This is especially critical since cMaaS is a user-centric service. Lastly, the study concludes that the development of a business model for cMaaS is subject to a number of challenges, however this is not a sign that cMaaS is not a promising business opportunity, but rather that it is in an early stage. An experimental approach to it is beneficial, however it is crucial to continue development in an informed way, building on acquired knowledge to improve the experiment and to ultimately decide if cMaaS is an attractive business opportunity and if so, what the most suitable business model is. / I takt med globalisering och ökande hållbarhetsutmaningar har potentialen i delad mobilitet, eller Mobility as a Service (MaaS), fått allt mer uppmärksamhet, som ett sätt att förbättra mobilitet och transporter både för den enskilda användaren och för samhället i stort. En särskild typ av mobilitet handlar om företags interna transporter (Corporate Mobility), det vill säga hur företag kan förbättra transport för sina anställda, både under arbetsdagen och till och från jobbet. MaaS har inte tidigare applicerats på den typen av mobilitet, och det skulle kunna vara en intressant affärsmöjlighet att erbjuda delad mobilitet som en service, till företag med behov av välfungerande interna transporter. Syftet med denna studie har varit att undersöka kombinationen av delad mobilitet (MaaS) och företags interna transporter (Corporate Mobility), kallat corporate Mobility as a Service (cMaaS), och möjligheten i att sälja den som en tjänst till externa kunder. För att uppnå det har studien genomförts som en enfallsstudie där ett affärsmodellsperspektiv applicerats på pilotprojektet Sustainable Mobility Services Södertälje, som introducerar MaaS i ett företags existerande interntransportsystem. Undersökningarna har handlat om vad en cMaaS-lösning innefattar och vilket värde det skapar, samt vilket värde en potentiell kund och dess potentiella användare vill ha från det. Dessutom har utmaningar kring att sälja och definiera en affärsmodell för cMaaS undersökts. Våra resultat bidrar till att beskriva konceptet cMaaS och vi föreslår en definition av det, baserad på definitioner av företags interna transporter och MaaS. Vidare indikerar resultaten att värde från cMaaS är multi-dimensionellt och därför svårt att beskriva i en enda value proposition, detta både på grund av den inbördes relationen mellan kunden och användarna, och hållbarhetsvärdena cMaaS skapar. Detta är särskilt kritiskt eftersom cMaaS är en användarfokuserad tjänst. Till sist visar resultaten att affärsutvecklingen av cMaaS står inför ett antal utmaningar, men att det inte nödvändigtvis innebär att cMaaS inte är en lovande affärsmöjlighet, utan snarare att utvecklingen är i ett tidigt skede. Att testa sig fram med en experimentell affärsutveckling kan vara bra, men det är också viktigt att göra det på ett strukturerat sätt, och bygga vidare på insamlad kunskap för att justera och förbättra testandet. På så vis kan man uppnå målet att avgöra om cMaaS är en attraktiv affärsmöjlighet, och i så fall hur en lyckad affärsmodell ser ut.

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