The purpose of this thesis is to investigate what barriers and drivers influences the internationalization of private Swedish cleantech firms. The model of a multiple case study was chosen together with a qualitative method and an abductive approach. This was done by acquiring primary information from seven private cleantech companies, all located in Sweden and active in international markets. Furthermore, the theoretical framework presented the Uppsala model, network perspective, international new ventures, born globals, transaction cost theory and the OLI-model. With this theoretical framework, a conceptual model was created which shows how the parts are connected. In the empirical chapter, the primary data is presented to visualize what each individual company said regarding the different constructs of internationalization, drivers, barriers and internationalization decisions. Moreover, the analysis chapter visualizes the similarities and the dissimilarities between the theory and the empirical findings. The thesis concludes that there are both general, as well as specific barriers and drivers that are influential in the internationalization process of private Swedish cleantech firms. These are shown to influence the internationalization decision of managers to take an incremental approach to internationalization. The authors of the thesis also present the view that Swedish cleantech companies are generally too small, lack the financial resources and managerial drive needed to internationalize. The authors also present the theoretical and practical implications and provide recommendations for future research.

Firm internationalisation has been a broadly examined subject, which has generated various established theories. Previous business activities are described as structured, incremental and predictable, which has enabled the development of frameworks that describe how the business internationalisation is conducted. Today’s technological advances, globalisation and changes in demographics are contemporary environmental forces of change, and the Swedish tech industry is growing in a steady phase. The tech start-ups internationalise rapidly and from an early age but in various ways, and therefore, reflecting diverse internationalisation theories to different extents. The wave of tech start-up is increasing and are seemingly operating in an unconventional manner and contradicts well-known theories, leaving scholars in the search for profound understanding about this phenomenon. Consequently, lack of previous research based on tech start-ups internationalisation processes has provided motivation for this study, with the intention to provide knowledge to companies and contribute with new theory angles to the existing literature. The purpose with this study was to fill the research gap on tech start-up internationalisation by investigating and analyse how the Stockholm-based tech start-ups internationalise, what barriers and drivers they have encountered while pursuing the expansion as well as, how these have affected the internationalisation. The literature review emphasises on internationalisation theories as well as, barriers and drivers of the internationalisation process and is summarised with a conceptual framework. The study was conducted through a qualitative case study including four companies of, which all four had established international operations and therefore, generated insightful information about the subject. Moreover, interviews with founders and CEOs of the companies were conducted through semi-structured approach, which including questions related to their internationalisation process and the barriers and drivers. The empirical data was thereafter organised and paralleled with previous theories as well as, with the authors' considerations. Finally, the conclusion highlight answers to the research questions and provide theoretical and practical implications, as well as suggestions for further research.

As water infrastructure in urban Ontario strains to meet the demands of a growing population, alternatives to the conventional water supply approach that complement demand management strategies are important to enable more sustainable water use at the household level. The adoption of rainwater harvesting (RWH), for indoor and outdoor uses by single-family households can reduce a households withdrawals on municipal water by 30% if rainwater is used for toilet flushing, laundry and outdoor uses (Despins 2009). The amount of potable water savings because of RWH is influenced by the rate of adoption and the allowed uses of rainwater at the individual household scale. The adoption of RWH systems would lead to reductions in potable water demand, which, in turn would lead to reduced demands on municipal water sources (e.g., groundwater or surface water), and storm water infrastructure resulting in overall reduced ecosystem stress and increased resiliency for climate change adaptation. Greater onsite storm water retention would mimic natural processes and would help reduce excess overland runoff that can result in water contamination. Presently, RWH systems tend to be more accepted and utilized in rural areas. However, there is a history of cistern use in rural and non-rural Waterloo. This history and capacity seems to be largely forgotten or unknown by urban citizens and local government officials. Century houses’ cisterns are often removed or filled in due to: a perceived lack of need, safety concerns and disrepair because of disuse. The increasing popularity of “green” building features and certifications have added some RWH systems for indoor and outdoor use to the urban environment, however, these remain limited instances. Moving RWH forward requires commitment from the Provincial and municipal government. Municipalities’ actions must support the sustainability objectives often referenced in their legislation and policy. This study establishes the drivers of RWH and examines the barriers to practice in the urban environment by examining existing examples and academic literature RWH systems within Canada and internationally. Results from a survey conducted in the City of Waterloo are used to reflect the systems user’s perspective. Interviews with municipal officials and RWH experts further highlight the drivers and barriers to RWH in urban Ontario. Based on the surveys, participants were generally willing to consider adopting RWH systems and a greater use of rainwater in the house, although a lack of information acts as significant barrier. However, Waterloo municipal officials who participated in the interviews described a much less enthusiastic attitude towards RWH. Although barriers identified in this research, including: legislative barriers, risk tolerance, perceptions of water abundance and economic realities shape the willingness to adopt RWH, this study indicates the barriers are surmountable through education and economic signaling.

As water infrastructure in urban Ontario strains to meet the demands of a growing population, alternatives to the conventional water supply approach that complement demand management strategies are important to enable more sustainable water use at the household level. The adoption of rainwater harvesting (RWH), for indoor and outdoor uses by single-family households can reduce a households withdrawals on municipal water by 30% if rainwater is used for toilet flushing, laundry and outdoor uses (Despins 2009). The amount of potable water savings because of RWH is influenced by the rate of adoption and the allowed uses of rainwater at the individual household scale. The adoption of RWH systems would lead to reductions in potable water demand, which, in turn would lead to reduced demands on municipal water sources (e.g., groundwater or surface water), and storm water infrastructure resulting in overall reduced ecosystem stress and increased resiliency for climate change adaptation. Greater onsite storm water retention would mimic natural processes and would help reduce excess overland runoff that can result in water contamination. Presently, RWH systems tend to be more accepted and utilized in rural areas. However, there is a history of cistern use in rural and non-rural Waterloo. This history and capacity seems to be largely forgotten or unknown by urban citizens and local government officials. Century houses’ cisterns are often removed or filled in due to: a perceived lack of need, safety concerns and disrepair because of disuse. The increasing popularity of “green” building features and certifications have added some RWH systems for indoor and outdoor use to the urban environment, however, these remain limited instances. Moving RWH forward requires commitment from the Provincial and municipal government. Municipalities’ actions must support the sustainability objectives often referenced in their legislation and policy. This study establishes the drivers of RWH and examines the barriers to practice in the urban environment by examining existing examples and academic literature RWH systems within Canada and internationally. Results from a survey conducted in the City of Waterloo are used to reflect the systems user’s perspective. Interviews with municipal officials and RWH experts further highlight the drivers and barriers to RWH in urban Ontario. Based on the surveys, participants were generally willing to consider adopting RWH systems and a greater use of rainwater in the house, although a lack of information acts as significant barrier. However, Waterloo municipal officials who participated in the interviews described a much less enthusiastic attitude towards RWH. Although barriers identified in this research, including: legislative barriers, risk tolerance, perceptions of water abundance and economic realities shape the willingness to adopt RWH, this study indicates the barriers are surmountable through education and economic signaling.

This case study intends to understand and identify perceived barriers and drivers within the housing sector in Östergötland. By deeper understanding of the pre-existing conditions and the perceived barriers and drivers that both limit and enable development, the thesis contributes to the existing literature with extended knowledge. Previous literature within the field along with interviews make up the empirical material analysed in a qualitative exploratory way. This study finds that the importance of different barriers and drivers can vary depending on location and owner-category as well as culture and socio-economic factors. This means that policy and design of drivers also have to be customized accordingly with the different target groups. One can, based on this thesis also conclude that energy and climate development in the housing sector is a slow process that takes time. Regardless the measure or action, nothing changes overnight. This case study has on a regional level begun to identify decisive conditions, barriers and drivers as well as differences within Östergötland, pointing out the direction for future studies and for future policy and action plans.

Inledning: Det finns idag ett infrastrukturgap i Sverige som beror på att dagens planerade investeringar inte täcker framtidens behov. Eftersom resurserna inte räcker till ökar efterfrågan på att öka innovationsgraden i infrastrukturprojekten, vilket kan göras genom att styra upphandlingsprocessen. Tidigare forskning säger däremot att det finns risker med att tänka innovativt eftersom nackdelarna väger över fördelarna. Därmed avser studien att undersöka hur styrning av upphandlingsprocessen kan skapa innovation i infrastrukturprojekt.    Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur den offentliga sektorn arbetar med styrning av upphandlingsprocessen för att skapa till innovation i infrastrukturprojekt samt att undersöka vilka hinder och barriärer som finns för innovation.    Metod: Uppsatsen är en kvalitativ studie med en deduktiv ansats och inslag av abduktion. En flerfallstudie tillämpas där det empiriska materialet inhämtas via semistrukturerade intervjuer från sju offentliga organisationer.     Slutsats: I fasen förbereda verkar det finnas störst möjlighet att påverka innovationsgraden vilket till stor del beror på att entreprenad- och upphandlingsform fastställs i denna fasen. Studiens resultat indikerar på att totalentreprenad och innovationsupphandling är de entreprenad- och upphandlingsformer som främja innovation i störst utsträckning. De drivkrafter för innovation som studien främst utvecklat och bidragit med är kunskapsöverföring, riskpremie, pilotprojektoch innovationskultur. Vidare har studien resulterat i att nya barriärer för innovation uppdagats vilka bland annat är erfarenhetsbrist, delgivning av företagshemligheter samt innovationsbegreppet. / Background and problem discussion: Today, there is an infrastructure gap in Sweden that is due to the fact that today's planned investments do not cover the needs of the future. As resources are insufficient, demand for increasing the degree of innovation in infrastructure projects is increasing, which can be done by controlling the procurement process. Previous research, on the other hand, says that there are risks of thinking innovatively where the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. We therefore intend to investigate how control of the procurement process affects innovation in infrastructure projects.   Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how the public sector works with the control of the procurement process in order to contribute to innovation in infrastructure projects and to explore the obstacles and barriers that are against innovation.   Method: The thesis is a qualitative study with a deductive approach that has elements of abduction. A multi-case study has been applied in which the empirical material has been obtained through semi-structured interviews from seven public organizations.   Conclusion: In the preparation phase, there seems to be the greatest opportunity to influence the degree of innovation, which is largely due to the fact that contracting and procurement forms are determined in this phase. The study's results indicate that contracted and innovation procurement are the forms of contracting and procurement that promote innovation to the greatest extent. The driving forces for innovation that the study mainly contributed to are knowledge transfer, risk premium, pilot project and innovation culture. Furthermore, the study has resulted in new barriers to innovation being discovered which include lack of experience, service of corporate secrets and the concept of innovation.