This dissertation uses the logic embodied in Strategic Fit Theory, the Natural Resource-Based View of the Firm (NRBV), strategic human resource management, and other relevant literature streams to empirically demonstrate how the environmental orientation of a firm's strategy impacts their environmental performance and resultant financial performance through the firm's Information Technology hiring practices. Specifically, it was hypothesized that firms with a strong relationship between the environmental orientation of their strategy and their green computing hiring practices will achieve higher environmental performance, and, as a result, higher levels of financial performance than firms lacking such fit. The organization's environmental orientation was measured via content analysis of the annual report texts (ARTs). Environmental performance was measured using KLD's award-winning environmental performance metrics. I triangulated across efficiency, effectiveness, and market-based metrics to capture a more holistic measure of the firm's financial performance using data from Compustat/Research Insight. The firm's green computing hiring practices were measured utilizing a web content data mining application that pulled job ads for computing graduates and then extracted the environmentally-oriented skills identified in such ads using content analytic techniques. Various control variables were employed to eliminate possible alternative explanations of my research findings. A number of statistical and analytical techniques were used to assess the nature and strength of the relationships in my theoretical model as are articulated in the proposed hypotheses. The sample size of firms is fairly large, thus increasing the statistical power of the empirical tests. Previous empirical testing of the relationship between environmental strategy and financial performance is still in the developmental stages and has produced mixed results, partly because important intervening mechanisms, such as green computing hiring practices, has not received adequate attention in the empirical literature. The combination of using a large sample of real world firms, a powerful combination of qualitative and quantitative methodological techniques to tap into key trace evidence not available through other methodological techniques, and leveraging an award-winning environmental data set has enhanced the robustness of the empirical findings in addressing this important gap in the literature. The results of the analyses show that there is a strong relationship between an organization's environmental posturing and its environmental performance. Additionally, this effect is mediated by the organization's environmental hiring practices, indicating that implementing the organization's environmental strategy through its hiring practices is important in achieving improved environmental performance. The current research also shows that there is a strong and positive relationship between an organization's environmental performance and financial performance. Surprisingly, these relationships are not significantly impacted by the organization's industry affiliation, which broadens the generalizability of the results of this study.

Title: The Role of Organizational Culture on Green Marketing Level: Final Thesis for Master’s Degree Program Authors: Lucia Gido Chuwa  and Ukpemeobong Usen Ibokette Supervisor: Dr. Daniella Fjellström Examiner: Dr. Maria Fregidou-Malama Date: June 2020   Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the influence of organizational culture on green marketing. Method: This study applies a qualitative research approach on seven selected companies in Sweden and Nigeria.  We interviewed seven people using seven semi-structured interview questions and we carried out thematic data analysis by grouping the findings into common themes to guide our discussion. Result & Conclusions: This study concludes that organizational culture influence implementation of green marketing as it dictates what happens within the organization and how it happens. The organization that embraces environmental values in its culture needs to disseminate it to all employees to create common understanding and commitment towards its implementation. We also discovered a lower level of customer awareness on green marketing which requires more efforts by organizations and stakeholders to create this awareness or advocacy which will help firms investing on green marketing to sell their products. Suggestions for future research: We suggest a future study which could complement this study using a bigger sample size. We also propose a comparative future study which may help to highlight how implementation of green marketing in developed countries like Sweden differs from the developing countries like Nigeria. Furthermore, we suggest an explorative study on how best the customer awareness on green marketing can be enhanced so that to support green marketing. Contribution of the thesis: This study contributes to the body of knowledge about organizational culture, environmental sustainability and green marketing through highlighting how organizational culture influence implementation of different components of green marketing mix, which was an underexplored area. We also contribute that customer awareness is an important aspect to encourage green marketing Key words: Green marketing, green marketing mix, organizational culture, Sweden, Nigeria, environmental sustainability and Natural Resource Based View Theory.

The goal of this dissertation was to contribute to our understanding of the relationship between supply chain structure and the pursuit of a sustainability-driven corporate strategy. The literature indicates that in order to pursue a sustainability-focused strategy, an increased level of integration across the supply chain is required. However, there are also industry-level dynamics that impact observed levels of vertical integration. That is, some industries are naturally more integrated than others based on the maturity level of the industry. Thus, some firms may experience opposing forces regarding their sourcing strategies once they choose to pursue a sustainability-focused strategy. To explore this potential tension, it is first necessary to objectively measure vertical integration. Several methods for measuring vertical integration exist; however, all of these methods rely exclusively on economic data. These measures might overlook other forms of integration that might be enacted, such as the development of stronger social ties. Thus, this research will seek to utilize a novel method that makes use of social network analysis to assess integration among firms in a supply chain along social dimensions. This dissertation 1) determined the correlation between having a vertically-integrated organizational structure and pursuing a sustainable supply chain strategy by identifying if sustainability-focused companies (SFCs) have a more vertically-integrated organizational structure than their counterparts that are not pursuing such strategies, 2) examined the evolution of supply chain structure as a company becomes more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable over time, and 3) defined the social ties between SFCs and their first- and second-tier suppliers to understand if they develop stronger social ties as a potential substitute for pure vertical integration. This dissertation is comprised of four main parts. In the first part of the dissertation, I compared three recently developed vertical integration indices based on consistency and ease of measurement. The three vertical integration indices studied were empirically tested on companies in the U.S. Medical Devices Industry and the limitations of each are discussed. Our analysis suggested adoption of the Fan and Lang's method. In the second part, I examined the vertical integration level of environmentally sustainable and non-sustainable companies. I empirically examined the vertical integration level of 144 sustainability-focused companies in 9 different industries. The results demonstrate that sustainability-focused companies in the Medical Devices Industry and the Industrials Industry tend to have more vertically integrated organizational structures than their industry competitors that are not pursuing such a strategy since these two industries are production oriented and they have closer relationships with their suppliers. In the third part, the objective was to understand how the organizational structure of sustainability-focused companies changes over time as the companies become more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. I applied trend analysis to the sustainability and vertical integration level of the companies. Our sample consisted of 10 sustainability-focused companies from the industrials industry. I used the content analysis of annual reports to calculate sustainability development scores, and applied the Fan and Lang's method to determine the vertical integration level of the companies. The study results demonstrated an increasing trend in both vertical integration and sustainability development of industrial industry companies over a 15-year of period. Furthermore, the companies became more vertically integrated as their environmental, economical, and social sustainability increased. Finally, in the fourth part, I developed and empirically tested a theoretical model that examines the supplier relationships of sustainability-focused companies (SFCs) to understand if these relationships are substitute to a vertically integrated organizational structure. Furthermore, I tested if SFCs are more socially connected to their suppliers compared to non-sustainable companies (non-SFCs). An online survey instrument was utilized for data collection. The empirical findings of path analysis demonstrated that SFCs establish long term relationships, collaborate, transfer know-how and experience, and create strong-ties with their first and second-tier suppliers to have an organizational structure that is substitute to a pure vertical integration. Findings further revealed that SFCs are connected to their first and second tier suppliers with stronger social ties compared to non-SFCs. Results support the natural transaction cost economics and natural resource based perspectives. Our study results should be useful to researchers and managers who are interested in corporate sustainability behavior.

Orientador: Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour / Resumo: O objetivo desse estudo é identificar e analisar, sob a ótica da teoria dos stakeholders e da visão baseada em recursos naturais, como fatores considerados barreiras e motivações/drivers têm influenciado na adoção de práticas de gestão de operações de baixo carbono no contexto de empresas localizadas no Brasil. Foram entrevistadas vinte empresas localizadas no Brasil para analisar como stakeholders e recursos e capabilidades organizacionais influenciam as empresas na adoção de práticas gestão de operações de baixo carbono. Os principais resultados do estudo foram: a) Fornecedores, governo e clientes são os principais stakeholders que agem como barreiras, enquanto que acionistas/proprietários e clientes agem como motivadores/drivers; b) Questão financeira e atitude dos empregados são os principais recursos que agem como barreiras; a questão financeira também é entendida como motivador/driver juntamente com a responsabilidade social e ambiental e a vantagem competitiva que a organização possui quanto à adoção das práticas de baixo carbono; c) O principal mecanismo de resposta para barreiras utilizado pelas empresas é superar, seguido de reduzir e aceitar; para as motivações/drivers, as empresas melhoram e exploram os fatores que as impulsionam na adoção das práticas - aceitar não é um mecanismo de resposta adotado pelas empresas. Além disso, esse estudo vai além de um diagnóstico de barreiras e motivações/drivers ao, também, traçar diretrizes organizacionais em busca de uma ges... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

Submitted by Daniela Andriani Ribeiro null (daniandriani@hotmail.com) on 2017-08-13T16:19:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Daniela A Ribeiro.pdf: 3343339 bytes, checksum: d302db72b5f877d24a748d5ab9a6026c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-08-18T19:23:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ribeiro_da_me_bauru.pdf: 3343339 bytes, checksum: d302db72b5f877d24a748d5ab9a6026c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-18T19:23:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ribeiro_da_me_bauru.pdf: 3343339 bytes, checksum: d302db72b5f877d24a748d5ab9a6026c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-29 / O objetivo desse estudo é identificar e analisar, sob a ótica da teoria dos stakeholders e da visão baseada em recursos naturais, como fatores considerados barreiras e motivações/drivers têm influenciado na adoção de práticas de gestão de operações de baixo carbono no contexto de empresas localizadas no Brasil. Foram entrevistadas vinte empresas localizadas no Brasil para analisar como stakeholders e recursos e capabilidades organizacionais influenciam as empresas na adoção de práticas gestão de operações de baixo carbono. Os principais resultados do estudo foram: a) Fornecedores, governo e clientes são os principais stakeholders que agem como barreiras, enquanto que acionistas/proprietários e clientes agem como motivadores/drivers; b) Questão financeira e atitude dos empregados são os principais recursos que agem como barreiras; a questão financeira também é entendida como motivador/driver juntamente com a responsabilidade social e ambiental e a vantagem competitiva que a organização possui quanto à adoção das práticas de baixo carbono; c) O principal mecanismo de resposta para barreiras utilizado pelas empresas é superar, seguido de reduzir e aceitar; para as motivações/drivers, as empresas melhoram e exploram os fatores que as impulsionam na adoção das práticas - aceitar não é um mecanismo de resposta adotado pelas empresas. Além disso, esse estudo vai além de um diagnóstico de barreiras e motivações/drivers ao, também, traçar diretrizes organizacionais em busca de uma gestão de baixo carbono através da compreensão dos mecanismos de resposta identificados nas empresas estudadas, para, assim, superar eventuais inércias organizacionais. / The aim of this study is to identify and analyze, from the perspective of stakeholder theory and natural resource-based view, as factors considered barriers and motivations have influenced the adoption of practices of low carbon operations management for companies located in Brazil. Twenty companies located in Brazil were interviewed to analyze how stakeholders and organizational resources and capabilities influence companies to adopt practices of low carbon operations management. The main results of the study were: a) Suppliers, government and clients are the main stakeholders that act as barriers, while shareholders/owners and clients act as drivers; b) Financial question and employees attitude are the main resources that act as barriers; the financial question is also understood as driver along with the social and environmental responsibility and the competitive advantage that the organization has in the adoption of low carbon practices; c) The main barrier response mechanism used by companies is to overcome, followed by reducing and accepting; for drivers, companies improve and exploit the factors that drives them in adopting practices - accepting is not a response mechanism adopted by companies. Moreover, this study goes beyond a diagnosis of barriers and drivers; it also draws organizational guidelines in search of a low carbon management through the understanding of the response mechanisms identified in the studied companies, in order to overcome eventual organizational inertia.

Yes / This research aims to design a green Pharmaceutical Supply Chain (PSC ) that reduces preventable pharmaceutical waste and effectively disposes of inevitable pharmaceutical waste. The main output of this study is the formulation of an integrated green PSC model involving all critical stakeholders, leading to improved environmental, economic and safety performance in medication management and delivery. The research is based on literature and on secondary resources. To green the PSC, every producer of waste is duty bound to facilitate the safe handling and disposal of waste. A Cross boundary Green PSC (XGPSC) approach is proposed to identify participants’ contribution to the PSC. Peripheral influences are also recognised from professional and regulatory bodies. This study focuses solely on community PSC in the UK where patients receive medication from local community pharmacies and thus may be limited. The proposed XGPSC approach also needs to be tested and validated in practice. It may also be difficult to transfer some of the environmental practices proposed in this research into practice. The environmental practices and actions proposed provide invaluable insight into various PSC activities, including purchasing, product design, prescription patterns and processes, medication use review, and customer relationship management. The proposed environmental actions encourage firm commitment from everyone to reduce, recycle or effectively dispose of pharmaceutical waste, with patients becoming stewards of medication rather than only consumers. A cross boundary approach is developed to green the PSC, and it encourages total involvement and collaboration from all participants in PSC.

Les alliances stratégiques sont devenues autant une nécessité qu'un choix pour les entreprises afin d'être compétitif sur les marchés d'aujourd'hui. Toutefois, faire fonctionner les alliances stratégiques n'est pas une évidence. Des taux de défaillance entre 30% et jusqu'à 70% ont été régulièrement signalés. Un nombre important de recherches a examiné comment ces chiffres pouvaient être améliorés. La sélection de partenaires a été identifiée comme l'un des facteurs clés de la réussite. En fait, les attributs spécifiques de chaque partenaire, influant même sur la sélection de ces mêmes partenaires, ont tendance à avoir des effets boule de neige au-delà de la phase de formation, jusqu'aux phases de conception et de post-formation. S'appuyant sur des recherches antérieures étudiant l'attribut « réputation », cette thèse vient combler une lacune en explorant le rôle que peut jouer la réputation pour la performance environnementale dans la détermination des avantages individuels et communs dans les différentes phases des alliances stratégiques. Dans quatre essais indépendants mais interconnectés, des questions de recherche spécifiques sont théoriquement examinées sous la « Natural-Resource-Based View (NRBV) » et la « Strategic Cognition Perspective ». Les hypothèses de l'étude sont testées empiriquement à partir des données recueillies auprès des PDG et des cadres supérieurs dans 176 entreprises manufacturières norvégiennes. / Strategic alliances have become as much a necessity as a choice for companies to be competitive in today's markets. However, making strategic alliances work is not evident. Failure rates between 30% and as high as 70% have been regularly reported. A substantial stream of research has examined how these numbers can be improved. Partner selection has been identified as a key success factor. In fact, partner-specific attributes, affecting which partners are selected, tend to have snowball effects beyond the formation phase to the design and postformation phases. Building on previous studies investigating the attribute of reputation, this thesis fills a gap by exploring the role reputation for environmental performance can play in determining firm-specific and joint competitive advantages in the different phases of strategic alliances. In four individual but connected Essays, specific research questions are theoretically examined under the Natural-Resource-Based View (NRBV) and Strategic Cognition Perspective. The study's hypotheses are empirically tested using data collected from CEOs and top managers in 176 Norwegian manufacturing firms.