TITLE: The sustainable banking industry - factors associated with sustainable innovation. FINAL SEMINAR: 2021-05-26COURSE: Master thesis in Business & Management - Organization at Uppsala University. AUTHORS: Kristofer Edin & Robin Nikolausson. ADVISOR: Josef Pallas.KEYWORDS: Sustainable innovation, Internal factors, External factors, Regulations, Technology, Market demand, Organizational culture, Market opportunities, Internal collaborations, Managerial dedication, Knowledge management.PURPOSE: This thesis aims to study factors associated with the development of sustainable innovation in the banking industry. Moreover, the ambition is to bring relevant findings and support for previous findings related to the information gap about how factors are associated with sustainable innovation and how they correspond to each other.METHOD: This research is using a case study methodology where one specific case company is being scrutinized. The study has used an exploratory study approach consisting of qualitative data gathering. Moreover, it is based on an inductive approach. The data consist of both primary data in terms of interviews with employees from the case company and of secondary data from various internet sources.LITERATURE REVIEW: Sustainable innovation, Technology, Regulations, Market demand, Organizational culture, Market opportunities, Internal collaboration, Managerial dedication, Knowledge management.EMPIRICAL FINDINGS: This thesis uncovers that there are both internal and external factors associated with sustainable innovation in the banking industry. The empirical findings thus correspond to the theory as it illustrates that the different factors are associated with sustainable innovation in the case company. However, the correctness of the theoretical suggestions varies in terms of the level of importance concerning the different factors. ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION:The analysis illustrates that even as the eight factors are associated with sustainable innovation, it is difficult to decide their relative importance as they are not mutually exclusive, but dependent on each other. However, there are some empirical indications that some factors, such as market demand and organizational culture, are more dominant in the relationships among the different factors.

Information, communication and broadcasting convergence is changing the business landscape in South Africa, as organisations adopt new converged information, communication technology (ICT) products and services to satisfy the needs of customers. Simultaneously, major changes are taking place in the South African telecommunications business environment creating new marketing opportunities and threats for Telkom SA, the only fixed line telecommunication operator in South Africa. Some of the findings of the study are • the commodization of the fixed line telecommunication network • political and regulatory changes are reshaping the telecommunications landscape by allowing the entry of new competitors • new technological innovations in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and mobile communication is driving change • social and economic change is fueling the speed of environmental change poor economic climate is quickening the competitive pace amongst South African businesses forcing them to attain efficiencies and effectiveness for survival • organisations worldwide are competing for limited resources and markets and turning to ICT to achieve their objectives • customer needs are changing - demanding better and innovative communication products and services - providing opportunities to competitors • the Internet is reshaping traditional business models as businesses are seeking to establish competitive advantages through the Internet • the migration of the Internet to the mobile telephony sector These changes are creating new marketing opportunities and threats for South African fixed line telecommunication operators and are threatening the survival of fixed line telecommunication operators worldwide and in South Africa. Information Technology, broadcasting and telecommunication technology convergence, has created many new ICT products and services opportunities that telecommunication competitors are offering existing customers of the fixed line operators network indicating lethargy from their side. In order for the fixed line operators to survive they must apply innovation and revise their strategic planning models. / Business Management / DCOM (Business Management)

Information, communication and broadcasting convergence is changing the business landscape in South Africa, as organisations adopt new converged information, communication technology (ICT) products and services to satisfy the needs of customers. Simultaneously, major changes are taking place in the South African telecommunications business environment creating new marketing opportunities and threats for Telkom SA, the only fixed line telecommunication operator in South Africa. Some of the findings of the study are • the commodization of the fixed line telecommunication network • political and regulatory changes are reshaping the telecommunications landscape by allowing the entry of new competitors • new technological innovations in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and mobile communication is driving change • social and economic change is fueling the speed of environmental change poor economic climate is quickening the competitive pace amongst South African businesses forcing them to attain efficiencies and effectiveness for survival • organisations worldwide are competing for limited resources and markets and turning to ICT to achieve their objectives • customer needs are changing - demanding better and innovative communication products and services - providing opportunities to competitors • the Internet is reshaping traditional business models as businesses are seeking to establish competitive advantages through the Internet • the migration of the Internet to the mobile telephony sector These changes are creating new marketing opportunities and threats for South African fixed line telecommunication operators and are threatening the survival of fixed line telecommunication operators worldwide and in South Africa. Information Technology, broadcasting and telecommunication technology convergence, has created many new ICT products and services opportunities that telecommunication competitors are offering existing customers of the fixed line operators network indicating lethargy from their side. In order for the fixed line operators to survive they must apply innovation and revise their strategic planning models. / Business Management / DCOM (Business Management)