Regulatory frameworks for sustainability reporting have become increasingly more prevalent within the EU, with the latest being CSRD. CSRD requires companies to report both impact and financial materiality, a considerable change from preceding ones. By conducting a multiple case study with three large Swedish companies, this thesis examines how management controls can explain how companies integrate double materiality requirements, from a Management Control System (MCS) Package perspective (Malmi & Brown, 2008). Previous research has examined how companies implement sustainability strategies with help of the MCS package, however, not in light of double materiality. This thesis contributes to theory by concluding that the MCS package can be used to explain the level of double materiality integration, through plotting the completeness of controls corresponding to impact and financial materiality. Whilst companies have complete control systems for managing their impact, there is an observed lack of corresponding controls for financial materiality, implying a lower level of integration of double materiality requirements. The findings can be applied in practice to recognise which prerequisites organisations have to translate sustainability reporting into their operations, which can be used to ensure that controls for impact and financial materiality are equally prevalent.

This master thesis investigates the integration of stakeholder analysis into the Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) for green industries, with a particular focus on its relevance within the framework of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). With a deadline for compliance by large companies operating in the European Union by 2025, urgency surrounds the need to comprehensively understand the Impacts, Risks and Opportunities (IROs). The study centers on H2 Green Steel (H2GS), a pioneering green industry in Sweden, to examine two of its key stakeholders, the society and the planet. As a silent stakeholder, the planet requires a unique approach within the DMA process. By utilizing action research methodology, stakeholders representing society and the planet are studied, offering insights that can be applied as a model for other companies undertaking similar assessments. Through a combination of data collection methods including mapping H2GS’s value chain, conducting semi-structured interviews, and utilising stakeholder analysis tools, such a power-interest grid, the study identifies key stakeholders and assesses their relationships with the company. Additionally, the study evaluates IROs related to the planet through a comparative analysis of methods outlined by the DMA guideline, ensuring comprehensivecoverage of the silent stakeholder’s perspective. The findings underscore the critical role ofcivil society stakeholders, particularly in the context of large industries within small communities. Continuous dialogue is essential for integrating societal perspectives into corporate strategies. Moreover, for planetary stakeholders, a multifaceted approach combining global research, local assessments, engagement with proxy organizations, and validation by expert groups is recommended to ensure a comprehensive understanding of related IROs. Engagement with indigenous communities, such as the Sámi in Sweden, is emphasized to address social implications effectively. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement in the DMA process, offering insights and methodologies that can aidcompanies in assessing their impacts comprehensively, thereby contributing to corporatesustainability and regulatory compliance. / Denna masteruppsats undersöker integrationen av intressentanalys i Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) för gröna industrier, med särskilt fokus på dess relevans inom ramen för Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Med en deadline för efterlevnad av stora företag som är verksamma i Europeiska unionen senast 2025, är det ett brådskande behov av att på ett heltäckande sätt förstå Impacts, Risks and Opportunities (IROs). Studien fokuserar på H2 Green Steel (H2GS), en banbrytande grön industri i Sverige, för att undersöka två av dess viktigaste intressenter, samhälle och planet. Som en tyst intressent kräver planeten ett unikt tillvägagångssätt inom DMA-processen. Genom att använda aktionsforskningsmetodik studeras intressenter som representerar samhället och planeten, vilket ger insikter som kan användas som modell för andra företag som gör liknande bedömningar. Genom en kombination av datainsamlingsmetoder inklusive kartläggning av H2GS värdekedja, genomförande av semistrukturerade intervjuer och utnyttjande av analysverktyg för intressenter, såsom ett kraftnät, identifierar studien nyckelintressenter och bedömer deras relationer med företaget. Dessutom utvärderar studien IROs relaterade till planeten genom en jämförande analys av metoder som beskrivs i DMA-riktlinjen, vilket säkerställer en omfattande täckning av den tysta intressentens perspektiv. Resultaten understryker den avgörande roll som det civila samhällets intressenter spelar, särskilt i samband med stora industrier inom små samhällen. En kontinuerlig dialog är väsentlig för att integrera samhällsperspektiv i företagsstrategier. Dessutom, för planetära intressenter, rekommenderas ett mångfacetterat tillvägagångssätt som kombinerar global forskning, lokala bedömningar, engagemang med proxyorganisationer och validering av expertgrupper för att säkerställa en heltäckande förståelse av relaterade IROs. Engagemang med ursprungsbefolkningar, såsom samerna i Sverige, betonas för att effektivt kunna hantera sociala konsekvenser. Sammanfattningsvis understryker denna studie vikten av intressenternas engagemang i DMA-processen, och erbjuder insikter och metoder som kan hjälpa företag att bedöma deras effekter på ett heltäckande sätt, och därmed bidra till företagens hållbarhet och regelefterlevnad.

Abstract Background: The European Commission has released the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent, targeting a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The directive shifts sustainability reporting from a voluntary to mandatory framework, significantly expanding the range of companies to report. The implementation has gradually started in 2024.   Purpose: The study aims to investigate how Swedish consultancy firms are implementing the CSRD regulations among their clients and how the new regulations are communicated. Understanding this implementation phase can provide insights to manage stakeholder relationships and institutional pressure to remain competitive.  Method: Adopting an interpretivist paradigm, this case study uses Stakeholder and Institutional Theory to explore CSRD implementation among consultancy firms, clients, and other stakeholders. Qualitative interviews were conducted, followed by thematic analysis to identify key mechanisms for implementing the new reporting standards. Conclusion: The findings conclude that sustainability reporting has transitioned from a strategic choice to an institutional requirement. Companies now depend on sustainability consultants to develop strategies for complying with CSRD. Additionally, stakeholder engagement within companies becomes improved with the implementation of CSRD.

The evolution of sustainability reporting demands increased transparency and scope. A pivotal aspect of this process is the determination of materiality for disclosure. The European Union, through its latest enactment, the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), has refined the interpretation of materiality criteria. This regulatory development motivates this study, which aims to explore the implications of the double materiality assessment (DMA). Specifically, investigating how the DMA is strategically utilized and if the generated output could lead to change in companies’ governance, operations, and practices.  To investigate this, the study examines eight Swedish companies across various industries, among the early adopters of ESRS. These companies serve as the focal point of the case study, utilizing a qualitative research approach where insights are derived from semi-structured interviews with key representatives of these firms. A conceptual framework, drawing from dynamic capabilities and institutional theory, help identifying patterns and themes related to dynamic skills and isomorphic tendencies.  The study reveals how the DMA shapes companies’ sustainability focus and operations. It enhances internal and external discussions, promotes sustainability awareness among colleagues, and facilitates knowledge sharing. The DMA emphasizes supplier transparency, fosters stakeholder engagement, and influences sustainability strategies, leading to organizational restructuring. Additionally, the study highlights the reliance on external consultants for DMA execution, reflecting resource constraints or regulatory complexity. Professional audits expedite compliance efforts but raise concerns about internal resource adequacy for sustainability reporting practices amidst new disclosure mandates.

Kraven på företag har ökat gällande redovisning av hållbara aktiviteter. I och med detta ställs högre krav på dagens hållbara företagande, vilket bidrar till att företag kan komma att behöva finna nya strategier för att kartlägga sitt företagande.  Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) är ett nytt EU-direktiv som kommer att föra hållbarhetsrapportering till samma nivå som den finansiella rapporteringen, vilket kommer innebära stort arbete för berörda företag. Därför ämnar denna studie att utveckla ett verktyg som kan inspirera och hjälpa företag att förbereda sig för rapportering enligt CSRD. Detta genomförs genom att sammanföra teorier kring hållbara affärsmodeller och dubbel väsentlighetsprincip i en modell, där den centrala delen handlar om att beakta värde från ett flerdimensionellt perspektiv. Tidigare forskning ger upphov till det faktum att affärsmodeller ignorerar att värdeutbyte ofta är ömsesidigt och att en intressent både kan bidra till och mottaga någonting av värde, vilket i sin tur visar på att dubbel väsentlighetsanalys sällan är inkluderat i affärsmodeller. Följande studie ämnar fylla detta identifierade gap genom att utveckla ett verktyg som kombinerar dessa områden. Workshops och intervjuer genomförs för att utveckla modellen vidare, och diskussionen väver samman insikterna från den empiriska studien och det litterära ramverket, varpå den slutliga modellen presenteras.  Resultatet indikerar att modellen behöver ingå i en längre arbetsprocess med både förberedande och avslutande avsnitt efter användande av modellen, och därför presenterar resultatet tre steg som rekommenderas vid användning av modellen. Resultatet landar också i att företag rekommenderas koppla hållbarhetsarbetet till sin kärnverksamhet, samt att vidga perspektivet utanför sina egna gränser och beakta flera intressenter, varvid diskussionen kring värdeskapande blir extra relevant. Modellen hjälper företag starta diskussionen kring sin påverkan, vilket hjälper dem hantera sina aktiviteter och processer och skapar en diskussion kring värdeskapande. Detta kan effektivisera verksamheten genom att öka den holistiska synen och transparensen på vad som behöver utvecklas. Studiens resultat har i stor utsträckning koppling till hållbarhet, ledarskap och organisation, men den visar också på en ingenjörsmässighet då målsättningen är att processer på företag ska kunna effektiviseras. / The demands on companies have increased regarding the reporting of sustainable activities. With this, higher demands are being placed on today's sustainable business, which contributes to the fact that companies may need to find new strategies to map their business. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a new EU directive that will bring sustainability reporting to the same level as financial reporting, which implies a lot of work for the companies concerned. Therefore, this study aims to develop a tool that can inspire and help companies prepare for CSRD reporting. This is conducted by combining theories around sustainable business models and the dual materiality principle into a model, where the core concerns value from a multidimensional perspective. Previous research gives rise to the fact that business models ignore that value exchange is often reciprocal and that a stakeholder can both contribute to and receive something of value, which in turn shows that dual materiality analysis is rarely included in business models. The following study aims to fill this identified gap by developing a tool that combines these areas. Workshops and interviews are conducted to develop the model further, and the discussion weaves together the insights from the empirical study and the literary framework, after which the final model is presented. The result indicates that the model needs to be part of a more complete process with both preparatory and final sections after using the model, and therefore the study presents three steps that are recommended when using the model. Furthermore, companies are recommended to link sustainability work to their core business, as well as adopting an ecosystem perspective involving relevant stakeholders. The model helps companies start the discussion about their impact, which facilitates the management of activities and processes and creates a discussion about value creation. This can streamline operations by increasing the holistic view and transparency of what needs to be developed. The study's results are largely connected to sustainability, leadership and organization, but it also shows an engineering approach as the goal is to make processes at companies more efficient.

Ekonomisk tillväxt kan ge upphov till bland annat klimatförändringar och sociala ojämlikheter, och innebär ett hot mot EU:s och världens fortsatta överlevnad. EU har därav framfört en tydlig strategi för hållbar utveckling i sin så kallade gröna giv, som syftar till att bana väg för en grön omställning i EU och vars slutmål är klimatneutralitet senast år 2050. Som ett led i detta har EU antagit en ny standard för hållbarhetsrapportering, vid namn Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), genom vilket nuvarande direktiv Non Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) revideras och skärps med ökade krav på kvalitet, jämförbarhet och transparens.  En nyckelkomponent i CSRD är dubbel väsentlighetsanalys, som innebär att företag ska identifiera både vilka hållbarhetsaspekter ett företaget påverkar och påverkas av och ämnar ge en heltäckande bild av företags hållbarhetsprestation. Analysen beskrivs dock vara utmanande och innebär stora förändringar jämfört med hur företag tidigare har arbetat med väsentlighetsanalyser. Därav syftar denna studie till att utforska implementering och praxis bakom dubbel väsentlighetsanalys inom företagssektorn. Studien är av kvalitativt slag och har genomförts genom kombination av en litteraturstudie samt en intervjustudie med respondenter som besitter erfarenhet inom CSRD och dubbel väsentlighetsanalys.  Studiens resultat visar på att dubbel väsentlighetsanalys genomgående kommer att innebära en stor utmaning för de företag som omfattas. Flertalet nya begrepp och parametrar introduceras i vilket många företag kan komma att stå inför ett kunskapsglapp. Att dessutom ta hänsyn till intressenter och bedömning av både påverkan, risker och möjligheter genom hela företags värdekedjor är både tidskrävande och komplext, och en övning få företag genomfört sedan tidigare. Det fanns en bred konsensus om att rådande riktlinjer är otillräckliga i många avseenden, och i kombination med en viss tidspress förutsågs att åtminstone första rapporteringsåret kommer att utgöras av rapporter av varierande kvalitet. Det är dock essentiellt att säkerställa att rapporteringen framåt hamnar på en god nivå, dels för att säkerställa värden som bättre underlag för beslutsfattande och jämförelser, dels i ett större perspektiv – att CSRD faktiskt ska bidra till en hållbar utveckling. Slutsatsen som kan dras är att genomförandet av dubbel väsentlighetsanlys kommer att kräva framförhållning och medvetenhet om att analysen inte kan genomföras av en enda person, utan kräver samarbete och nyttjande av både intern och extern kunskap. / Economic growth can give rise to, among other things, climate change and social inequalities, posing a threat to the continued survival of the EU and the world. Consequently, the EU has outlined a strategy for sustainable development through its so called Green Deal, aiming to pave the way for a green transition in the EU with the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by year 2050. As part of this initiative, the EU has adopted a new standard for sustainability reporting, known as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This directive revises and strengthens the existing Non Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) by imposing increased requirements for quality, comparability, and transparency. A key component of CSRD is the double materiality assessment, which requires companies to consider how their actions impact both people and the planet, but also how sustainability issues can affect their financial wellbeing, aiming to provide a comprehensive picture of a company's sustainability performance. However, the analysis is described as challenging and involves significant changes compared to how companies have previously conducted materiality assessments. Therefore, this study aims to explore the implementation and practices behind double materiality within the corporate sector. The study is qualitative in nature and has been conducted through a combination of a literature review and an interview study with respondents with experience in CSRD and double materiality assessment. The study's findings indicate that the double materiality assessment will consistently pose significant challenges for companies covered by CSRD. Several new concepts and parameters are introduced, potentially causing a knowledge gap for many companies. Additionally, considering stakeholders and assessing impacts, risks, and opportunities throughout the entire value chains of companies is both time-consuming and complex, and is an exercise that few companies have undertaken previously. There was broad consensus that current guidelines are inadequate in many aspects, and coupled with time pressure, it was anticipated that at least the first reporting year is to consist of reports of varying quality. However, it is essential to ensure that reporting improves over time, both to provide better basis for decision-making and comparisons and, on a broader scale, to ensure that CSRD actually contributes to sustainable development. The conclusion drawn is that the implementation of a double materiality assessment will require foresight and awareness that the assessment cannot be carried out by a single individual but demands collaboration and the utilization of both internal and external knowledge.

This qualitative study investigates how the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directives (CSRD) shape the decision-making processes that influence companies' supply chain design. Employing institutional theory to understand how different institutional contexts shape decision-making mechanisms. An abductive approach to feature both empirical observations and theoretical concepts. Moreover, with seven semi-structured interviews, the study aims to bridge the gap in understanding the impact of CSRD on the supply chain design of large Swedish-listed companies, as well as the potential opportunities they present. The study chose to emphasize double materiality and Scope 3 emissions through the report to provide an understanding of the foundation for these directives that influence the supply chain design. The study's findings, derived from semi-structured interviews, are organized around a conceptual model designed to illustrate the process and explain the impact of CSRD. This model depicts a four-step implementation process: Awareness of CSRD, Setting CSRD Strategies, Application of Set Strategies, and Supply Chain Impact. Furthermore, various factors including Institutional Pressure, Experience/Background, Institutional Barriers, Institutional Support, and Operational Challenges on CSRD Application influence the process. Through this model, the study makes four significant contributions toward addressing the gap in existing literature and the research question. The contributions are that strategic opportunities can arise from CSRD, institutions support rather than pressure, long-term realizations to successfully implement CSRD, and lastly, CSRD has and will impact supply chain design. This reveals that CSRD significantly drives tangible changes in the decision-making process regarding supply chain design, offering new perspectives on how companies perceive these directives in terms of operational opportunities emerging from sustainability transitions.

This research investigates the challenges Scandinavian organizations face in adapting their ESG reporting practices to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), introduced in January 2024. The CSRD aims to enhance Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting by implementing double materiality assessment (DMA) and expanding the scope of value chain reporting. Given its novelty and the limited academic literature on this topic, this research provides critical insights into these transformations.  Three research questions guide this study: (1) How do Scandinavian organizations conduct the DMA of their ESG reporting under the CSRD? (2) How do Scandinavian organizations address challenges in ESG reporting along the entire value chain after adopting the CSRD? (3) How is the CSRD reshaping the ESG reporting challenges faced by Scandinavian organizations? The research employs a qualitative, exploratory approach, including expert interviews and textual analysis. Grounded in Stakeholder Theory and Value Chain Theory, the study provides perspectives for understanding stakeholder engagement and value chain dynamics in ESG reporting. The findings reveal that organizations exhibit varying approaches to DMA, influenced by conflicting definitions of materiality, differing stakeholder engagement practices and subjectivity. Despite ESRS guidance, this creates challenges in comparability and implementation. In terms of value chain reporting, organizations face significant challenges in data gathering and transparency. The CSRD reshapes ESG reporting by standardizing requirements and addressing previous inconsistencies of its predecessor, the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD). However, the CSRD introduces both opportunities and challenges for Scandinavian organizations.  By integrating Stakeholder and Value Chain Theory, this study highlights the importance of comprehensive stakeholder engagement and robust data systems. The findings underscore the need for ongoing adjustments and improvements of the reporting standards as organizations navigate the evolving ESG landscape under the CSRD. Ultimately, the CSRD is contributing to more sustainable and transparent business practices.