The recession of the early 1990’s marked the starting point for a transformation of the Swedish transportation industry. Cost oriented production techniques by the industry’s customer increased demand on swiftness, reliability and flexibility in transportation services. This development has continued ever since which in turn has continuously increased the rates of harmful discharges of emissions. The research is performed on the Swedish plastic industry and examines the relationship between environmental sustainability, lead time and cost when selecting road carrier for transportations. The main purpose is to examine to what extent environmental concerns are taken into account when deciding over distribution and furthermore, whether there exist potential and ambitions for improvements. Out of theories concerning transportation modal choice, four points of interest constitutes the basis for the empirical gathering; prioritization of selection determinants, environmental requirements in procurement of transportation services, use of rail freight and acceptable cost levels for implementing environmental sustainability. The study shows that the market of the Swedish plastic industry is driven by price competition and constant pressure from international trade. Naturally, cost is considered to be the foremost selection determinant in terms of transportation modal choice, followed by reliability and lead time. Furthermore, the study shows that environment is of low priority in respect to the other selection determinants. Although the current market condition diminishes the possibilities for changes, there exists a general ambition to become more environmental within the distribution activities. A majority of the respondent firms could potentially accept levels of increased transportation costs which balance with the costs of guaranteeing environmental sustainability in road transportations. In reference to increased environmental ambitions, three conclusions can be drawn. The relationship between environmental sustainability, lead time and cost allow for environmental improvements if lead time can be extended to the maximum conceivable limit of the market. Furthermore, the price competition of the market makes own initiatives impossible in terms of raising price for transportations; environmental sustainability in road transportation must therefore be preceded by demand for such. Finally, it can be concluded that environmental improvements cannot be achieved single handedly; costs must be evenly distributed among the suppliers, customers and haulers.

The intellectual roots of the innovation system (IS) approach lie in attempts tounderstand the complexities of interactive relations in the innovation process. Thisthesis departs from the systemic view that ISs rest on a co-evolutionary process, inwhich on the one hand technical and economic spheres interact with policies andinstitutions, and, on the other, those spheres affect the natural environment. There isalso evidence that ISs have access to the state-of-the-art flows of knowledge, which isperceived positively in terms of international or trans-border scientific andtechnological cooperation.Comprised of a covering essay and a set of publications, this thesis is structured as acombination of five papers containing findings of the research carried out. Thequalitative research design analyzes sustainability as a desirable theoretical constructtowards which the development of ISs should be oriented. As such, special attentionwas given to both the theoretical arguments that relate to sustainability and theimportance of a shift into a new technological regime oriented towards environmentalissues in ISs. A systematization of the two main theoretical analyses of ISs has beenalso emphasized in the thesis as interactive learning and evolutionary technologicalchange theories, which originate respectively from Schumpeterian and neoevolutionarySchumpeterian views.In Edquist’s view (2001, p.35) "there is a strong need for further conceptual andtheoretical development of the IS approach. The best way of doing this is by actuallyusing the approach in empirical research". How the shift of ISs to environmentalsustainability can come about and how they can be brought together systematically isstill a largely unexplored field of research. Accordingly, the aim of this thesis is toconceptually advance an understanding of the IS as a flexible and useful approach toencompass the environmental sustainability dimension.To address this, the thesis develops a conceptual framework for ISs that is orientedtoward sustainability; based on the interactive, resource, and environmental views;and tested empirically. The conceptual framework is illustrated empirically in the casestudies of the Brazilian subsidiary of the Swedish multinational Ericsson and and the Brazilian multinational USIMINAS, with focus placed on their interactionswith the Brazilian innovation system. Since the cases belong to different sectors, thereare variables between the multinationals in terms of the nature of innovation capacity.The contrast between the two cases in terms of technological regimes provedvery interesting, and hence formed the core of the thesis.The IS approach has been gaining ground in academic circles, as well as in the fieldof public innovation policy-making in industrialized and newly industrializedcountries. The findings of the current study suggest that ISs for environmentalsustainability can be categorized as evolutionary, natural resource based, andinternationally oriented. In the context of newly industrialized countries, theinternalization of ISs has been perceived through effects of research and developmentin multinational firms, technology transfer and the international trade of capital goods.The understanding of ISs and the internationalization phenomenon in relation tosustainability warrants further studies; notably studies are required that examine theinternationalization of ISs, empirically viewing this from the perspective of bothindustrialized and newly industrialized economies. / <p>RESEARCH FUNDERS</p><p>1) Brazilian Agency for Higher Education (CAPES); 2) the ScientificAgency of the Minas Gerais State (FAPEMIG), Brazil. QC 20130211</p><p></p>

<p>The recession of the early 1990’s marked the starting point for a transformation of the Swedish transportation industry. Cost oriented production techniques by the industry’s customer increased demand on swiftness, reliability and flexibility in transportation services. This development has continued ever since which in turn has continuously increased the rates of harmful discharges of emissions. The research is performed on the Swedish plastic industry and examines the relationship between environmental sustainability, lead time and cost when selecting road carrier for transportations. The main purpose is to examine to what extent environmental concerns are taken into account when deciding over distribution and furthermore, whether there exist potential and ambitions for improvements. Out of theories concerning transportation modal choice, four points of interest constitutes the basis for the empirical gathering; prioritization of selection determinants, environmental requirements in procurement of transportation services, use of rail freight and acceptable cost levels for implementing environmental sustainability. The study shows that the market of the Swedish plastic industry is driven by price competition and constant pressure from international trade. Naturally, cost is considered to be the foremost selection determinant in terms of transportation modal choice, followed by reliability and lead time. Furthermore, the study shows that environment is of low priority in respect to the other selection determinants. Although the current market condition diminishes the possibilities for changes, there exists a general ambition to become more environmental within the distribution activities. A majority of the respondent firms could potentially accept levels of increased transportation costs which balance with the costs of guaranteeing environmental sustainability in road transportations.</p><p>In reference to increased environmental ambitions, three conclusions can be drawn. The relationship between environmental sustainability, lead time and cost allow for environmental improvements if lead time can be extended to the maximum conceivable limit of the market. Furthermore, the price competition of the market makes own initiatives impossible in terms of raising price for transportations; environmental sustainability in road transportation must therefore be preceded by demand for such. Finally, it can be concluded that environmental improvements cannot be achieved single handedly; costs must be evenly distributed among the suppliers, customers and haulers.</p>

Family business research has explored a number of important questions related to the complexity of intra-organizational family-based involvement (Sharma, 2004; Sharma, Hoy, Astrachen & Koiranen, 2007; Debicki, Matherne III, Kellermanns & Chrisman, 2009; Litz, Pearson & Litchfield, 2011), but the possibility of a potential link between the intentions and actions to facilitate or pursue the voluntary sacrifice by the current generation for generations still to come has largely gone unexplored. I seek to further explore how one’s intention and action, or succession strategy, to eventually pass an enterprise on to the next generation of family potentially influences how one manages that enterprise in the present. I conducted the research using a cross-sectional survey of 218 Manitoba family farms in 2011 to 2012. The data was collected in both an on-line and paper format. I have tested my hypotheses in the Manitoba family farm community to confirm a positive relationship between family farm succession strategy and environmental behaviour while controlling for industry specific measures. The proposed moderators of industry context (resource munificence) and familial context (intergenerational affinity) were not significant. The results provide further support to the notion that within the family business context, succession strategy and environmental behaviours are connected to intergenerational beneficence as “the extent to which members of the present generations are willing to sacrifice their own self-interest for the benefit of future others in the absence of economic or material incentives to present actors for doing so” (Wade-Benzoni & Tost, 2009:166).

Thesis (M. Arch.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Thomas R. Wood. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 64).

Sustainability is increasing in importance nowadays and Sweden is one of the most sustainability- focused countries in the world. Environmental sustainability is considered to be a key factor for business growth and companies incorporate this aspect in their brand marketing strategies. The purpose of this study is to get a broader understanding of the field of environmental sustainability work in connection to brand equity in Sweden. The main contribution of this study derives from studying how companies work with environmental sustainability to improve brand equity from a company’s perspective in Sweden. A qualitative approach was chosen, which included semi- structured interviews with seven companies that operate in Sweden. This paper develops an analytical model in order to analyse the findings from the interviews. The findings suggest that companies can work with environmental sustainability to improve their brand equity in Sweden by using strategies and practices that fit the company. It is important to consider the local context of Sweden, the market demands and requirements of its stakeholders and adopt a holistic approach in order to improve brand equity. Companies can choose to incorporate environmental sustainability work as an add-on to their brand or base the core of the brand around their work.

The purpose of the study was to draw parallels between the Hindu religious teachings and environmental sustainability. A literature review on Hindu teachings on the environment as well as the practical application thereof as experienced or practiced by religious leaders and devotees were conducted. This was similar to the study that was conducted at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple near Watford in England at a Janmashtami festival in 2007 (Chauhan et al., 2009).The intention of the 2007 campaign was to raise spiritual self-consciousness by linking the concept of karma to environmental degradation, i.e. the concept of every action has a reaction. It also prompted the devotees to realise that there were practical steps that could be taken to alleviate the environmental crises by reducing one‟s ecological footprint. Literature on similar themes and hypotheses were referenced in the mini-dissertation, exposing the double-edged sword practices of Hinduism, where some religious practices have a harmful impact on the environment, which is contradictory to the teachings themselves. A survey was conducted at the Benoni Temple in Eastern Gauteng in South Africa where there is a strong Hindu community. The study was specifically aimed at two target audiences: Hindu religious leaders and Hindu devotees. The purpose was to establish both the religious leaders‟ and devotees‟ viewpoints regarding the correlation between Hindu religious teachings and lifestyles. The outcome was synonymous that there is a need for better communication and more environmental awareness from the Hindu religious teachings. Limitations of the study: Bearing in mind the vastness of the topic the study has been limited to Hinduism for the Masters in Environmental Management qualification and lays the foundation for expansion of further studies. The purpose of the study was not to denounce any religion, nor is it to promote one religion over the other, but rather to evaluate objectively both the positive and negative influences Hinduism has on the environment. / M Environmental Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The purpose of the study was to draw parallels between the Hindu religious teachings and environmental sustainability. A literature review on Hindu teachings on the environment as well as the practical application thereof as experienced or practiced by religious leaders and devotees were conducted. This was similar to the study that was conducted at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple near Watford in England at a Janmashtami festival in 2007 (Chauhan et al., 2009).The intention of the 2007 campaign was to raise spiritual self-consciousness by linking the concept of karma to environmental degradation, i.e. the concept of every action has a reaction. It also prompted the devotees to realise that there were practical steps that could be taken to alleviate the environmental crises by reducing one‟s ecological footprint. Literature on similar themes and hypotheses were referenced in the mini-dissertation, exposing the double-edged sword practices of Hinduism, where some religious practices have a harmful impact on the environment, which is contradictory to the teachings themselves. A survey was conducted at the Benoni Temple in Eastern Gauteng in South Africa where there is a strong Hindu community. The study was specifically aimed at two target audiences: Hindu religious leaders and Hindu devotees. The purpose was to establish both the religious leaders‟ and devotees‟ viewpoints regarding the correlation between Hindu religious teachings and lifestyles. The outcome was synonymous that there is a need for better communication and more environmental awareness from the Hindu religious teachings. Limitations of the study: Bearing in mind the vastness of the topic the study has been limited to Hinduism for the Masters in Environmental Management qualification and lays the foundation for expansion of further studies. The purpose of the study was not to denounce any religion, nor is it to promote one religion over the other, but rather to evaluate objectively both the positive and negative influences Hinduism has on the environment. / M Environmental Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of this study is to investigate how inside and outside directors differ in their cognition and reasoning in regards to environmental sustainability issues. The theoretical background derives from a cognitive view and Stakeholder theory. The paper is further based on current research regarding insiders’ and outsiders’ relationship to environmental sustainability. In order to capture the cognition and reasoning of insiders and outsiders, a Think-aloud study was conducted, interviewing a total of 20 board members in the food industry. Results from this study showed that, when faced with environmental issues, outsiders are more likely to request, repeat, ponder as well as clarify the information given. Secondly, outsiders are more likely to consider a long-term perspective. Thirdly, outsiders are more likely to consider an environmental view. Lastly, both insiders and outsiders use analogical reasoning when contemplating around environmental issues. However, insiders are more likely to draw experience from their current position or company while outsiders are more likely to draw experience from outside their current position or company when solving environmental issues.

The sociotechnical system of print-on-paper for the dissemination of textual information prevails despite widespread concerns about its sustainability. On the basis of sociotechnical transitions theory the print-on-paper system is perceived as a regime. Information technology is identified as one of the generic technologies that has the potential to address the unsustainability of the incumbent regime. Its potential effects are examined through the development of the electronic book, which is defined as those IT applications providing an alternative form of textual display to printed paper. Yet, such applications have remained marginal. According to sociotechnical transitions theory the electronic book can be seen as a niche in relation to the print-on-paper regime. An alternative conceptualisation of transitions as a process of network reconfiguration is suggested. On that basis, the electronic book is depicted as a number of emergent innovation networks. Social Network Analysis methods informed by network approaches to innovation theory are applied to visualise and discuss these emergent networks. In one of the representations, the electronic book is mapped as a sociotechnical network including organisations, users and technologies. It emerges that network formation often transgresses a distinct niche-regime divide. Patterns of network interaction are explored and assessed as to whether they represent a sociotechnical transition in progress. The analysis reveals different patterns of network formation which are indicative of prospective sociotechnical trajectories where different concepts of the electronic book are emphasised. It emerges that the discussion of sustainability and the emergence of the electronic book remain largely unlinked.