Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T21:42:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Claudia Santos Rezende.pdf: 1260219 bytes, checksum: c41d4540b825bd81735751d1dbe1d96d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-11-23 / This study seeks to discover which factors can explain the performance of companies in the airline industry, as well as the possible causes for differential performance in enterprises of this sector, since it is based the theory of resource-based view (RBV) and institutional theory , these theories related to the field of business strategy. To achieve this goal, we draw a history of commercial aviation in Brazil since its origin up to the year 2007 we will conduct a review of literature on the RBV, Institutional theory, competitive advantage and organizational performance. We work with secondary data supplied by ANAC, to period 1995 a 2007, which must be examined through a multilevel analysis, considering the factor analysis firm.(AU) / O presente trabalho busca descobrir quais fatores são capazes de explicar o desempenho das empresas do setor aéreo, bem como as possíveis causas para a diferenciação de desempenho nas empresas deste setor, tendo por fundamento a teoria da visão baseada em recursos (RBV) e a teoria Institucional, teorias estas relacionadas ao campo da estratégia empresarial. Para atingir esse objetivo, vamos traçar um histórico do setor de aviação comercial brasileira desde os seus primórdios até o ano de 2007, realizaremos uma revisão de literatura sobre a RBV, teoria Institucional, vantagem competitiva e desempenho organizacional. Trabalhamos com dados secundários fornecidos pela ANAC, referentes ao período de 1995 a 2007, os quais devem ser analisados à luz de uma análise multinível, considerando o fator firma na análise.(AU)

Quais as causas e condições que levam à ocorrência de diferentes estruturas de Coordenação Vertical (CV) dentro de uma mesma indústria? Este estudo objetiva identificar, caracterizar e analisar as diferentes formas de coordenação vertical encontradas em onze empresas pertencentes ao setor de pêssegos em conserva no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil). A presente pesquisa, caracterizada como um estudo multi-caso, utilizou-se de duas abordagens teóricas da Economia para estruturar seu modelo de análise: a da Economia dos Custos de Transação e a da Visão Baseada em Recursos. Os resultados revelam que os fatores mais relevantes para a escolha da definição das estruturas de coordenação vertical entre empresas e fornecedores (destas indústrias) são transacionais e de recursos. Altos níveis de incerteza e oportunismo (custos de transação) levam as empresas a adotar estruturas hierárquicas de coordenação (produção própria). O estudo da dinâmica evolutiva das estruturas de Coordenação Vertical permitiu relaciona-las às características dos recursos e dos custos das transações. A primeira, relacionando o modelo de Coordenação Vertical adotado pela empresa aos tipos de recursos (tangíveis e intangíveis) disponíveis; e a segunda, à imprevisibilidade e relevância de problemas no fluxo de suprimento de matéria-prima. A disponibilidade de recursos intangíveis mostrou ter um forte impacto sobre a adoção de relações mais integradas com fornecedores, enquanto que uma maior disponibilidade de recursos tangíveis exerce uma pressão maior no sentido da verticalização da produção de suprimentos. E a segunda, relacionando a imprevisibilidade e a relevância dos problemas no suprimento de matéria prima. Quanto maior a imprevisibilidade ou velocidade de ocorrência e relevância de um problema no fluxo de suprimentos maior será a tendência de reação no sentido da verticalização da produção e vice-versa. / What are the causes and conditions that lead to the existence of different vertical co-ordination (VC) structures within the same industry? This study aims to identify, characterize and analyze the varying forms of VC found in eleven firms that comprise the peach conserve industry in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). In order to establish its analysis model, the present research, which may be characterized as a multi-case study, was based on two theoretical concepts on economics: the Transactional Costs Economics, and the Resources Based View. The results obtained reveal that the most relevant factors that influence the choice of VC structure among these firms and their suppliers are transactional and resources. High levels of uncertainty and opportunism (transaction factors) lead firms to adopt more hierarchical VC structures (own production). Studying the VC structures evolutive dynamics, it was allowed to relate them to the characteristics of Resources and Transactional Costs. The former one has related the VC model adopted by the firm to the different kinds of available resources (tangible or intangible); and the latter one, to the unforeseeability and relevance of raw material supply flow difficulties. Bigger intangible resources availability is shown to have a strong impact on the adoption of more integrated VC structures; whereas greater capital availability moves firms towards a more hierarchical VC of supplies production. Second, the bigger the unforeseeability and the relevance of raw material supply flow difficulties, accordingly bigger will be the reaction tendency to a production verticalization, and vice-versa.

Intense competition in the international markets has made the determinants of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) competitiveness an important asset in the export business, making of policies, strategies and decision making by businesses. SMEs are often seen to be disadvantaged for a variety of reasons, including inappropriate internal structures, lack of capabilities, insufficient resource support and apparent lack of foreign-market knowledge. The nature of international markets and the disadvantages SMEs face, make it imperative to examine the determinants of SME international competitiveness. Although some literature has recorded some studies on internationalisation of SMEs in developed economies, there is insufficient study of SME internationalisation, particularly in the context of non-traditional horticultural SME exporters in developing economies. Hence, the study aims to evaluate the determinants of non-traditional horticultural exporters’ international competitiveness by addressing the question: To what extent are non-traditional horticultural exporters in Ghana competitive in the international market? In the context of this study nontraditional horticultural exports exclude cocoa beans, logs and lumber. The study enriches the literature on internationalisation of SME exporters in developing economies by providing guidance for future research in a field of SME international business. The theoretical foundations of the study draw mostly on three perspectives: the resource based view, international entrepreneurship and institutional theory. From the review of literature, a conceptual framework was developed: ME international competitiveness is conceptualised in this research as government support factors, entrepreneurial factors and a firm’s internal factors. At the empirical level, the study employed qualitative and quantitative approaches which involved surveying 105 non-traditional horticultural exporters (respondents) in Ghana. Six hypotheses were tested on the key issues in this project, which were statistically analysed, employing logit regression, Pearson correlation and chi square. Secondly, the study uses six export facilitating institutions which were interviewed to gain understanding of the services these institutions offer to non-traditional horticultural SME exporters in Ghana. The main findings suggest that Ghana government support policies, access to finance, Technological Innovation, number of years in business, the size of the firm, Entrepreneurial Factors and the number of exporting destinations of the nontraditional horticultural SME exporters have had positive impact on the competitiveness of horticultural SME exporters in international markets. The findings also contribute, to some extent, to the advancement of the empirical, theoretical and managerial understanding of SME international competitiveness in developing economies. The research contributes to the international business literature by providing a model for understanding the determinants of horticultural SMEs’ international competitiveness. This highlights the important role of government, the entrepreneurial orientation, and a firm’s internal factors in realising SME competitiveness. The research also provides guidance for policy makers and SME business facilitators in implementing export-led programmes for horticultural exporting firms in Ghana.

Baseado na questão que surge a partir do fato de que numa mesma indústria, com condições similares de mercado, algumas empresas se apresentam como bem-sucedidas e outras não, este trabalho teve como objetivo somar algumas idéias a esta discussão que preocupa tanto acadêmicos quanto líderes do setor privado e público. Tendo como base a conhecida teoria da Visão da Firma Baseada em Recursos, este trabalho fixou como objetivo indagar sobre a função diferencial cumprida pelos recursos no desempenho competitivo internacional de empresas do Vale do Rio Negro argentino dedicadas à produção e exportação de vinhos finos. Para isso, foi revisada uma vasta literatura sobre o tema, percorrendo cronologicamente seus antecedentes a partir dos quais foi desenhado um modelo de aplicação para conduzir a operacionalização do estudo. Foram selecionadas cinco empresas da região com características bem diferentes entre si. Utilizando a análise de casos, foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas e aplicado um questionário para obter informações sobre a valorização dos recursos tangíveis e intangíveis por parte de cada uma das empresas. Sobre cada recurso selecionado da lista oferecida, foram solicitadas explicações acerca da importância e características de valor, raridade, inimitabilidade e insubstituibilidade. Os resultados obtidos e sua interpretação permitiram dividir as empresas selecionadas em dois tipos: alto e baixo desempenho competitivo internacional. Depois disso, foram comparados os recursos escolhidos em cada grupo. Pôde ser observado que as empresas de alto desempenho valorizaram mais aqueles recursos relacionados com aspectos comerciais e de mercado e as de baixo desempenho os recursos que intervêm em aspectos de tecnologia de produção e de acesso a capital e insumos. Ambos os grupos valorizaram a importância da localização geográfica e a dotação de Recursos Naturais, de fundamental importância para a produção e elaboração de vinhos. Por último, foram citadas as contribuições teóricas e práticas do trabalho, suas limitações, além de algumas questões que foram levantadas, as quais podem ser tratadas em estudos posteriores. / In response to the question as to why within the same industry and under similar market conditions some companies are successful and others are not, this paper seeks to provide some insight into the discussion of an issue that has long puzzled both academics and leaders of the private and public sector. Within the theoretical framework of the well-known resource-based view of the firm (VBR), this paper aims to probe the differential role that resources played in the international competitiveness shown by fine wine-producing and exporting firms in the Argentine Valley of Río Negro. To this end, we reviewed the vast literature on the subject in chronological order to design an application model for the operationalization of the study. Five quite distinct companies were selected from within the region. Using the case study analysis, we conducted semi-structured interviews and applied a questionnaire to collect data on the valuation of tangible and intangible resources by each of the companies under study. Each of the selected resources on the list provided was in turn broken down into the importance and characteristics of its value, rareness, inimitability, and non-substitutability. From the results and their interpretation it was possible to divide the selected companies into two groups in terms of their international competitiveness: high- and low-performing firms. Next, the resources chosen in each group were compared. It was found that the high-performing group attaches more value to business and market-related aspects while the low-performing group favors production technology, and capital and input access. Both groups accorded importance to geographical location and natural resource endowments, key factors in wine making and production. Finally, we cite the theoretical and practical contributions of the paper as well as its limitations. Some issues to be addressed in further studies are also presented.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T13:51:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JulioFDR_TESE_capa_ate_pag119.pdf: 6154675 bytes, checksum: 174bd5531b27bc99f78b05dff75d611d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-28 / The present study investigated the management of social, environmental and economic sustainability practices employed by 72 oil companies in Rio Grande do Norte state in Brazil associated to Joint Business Network for Enhancing the Competitive Ability of Suppliers of Goods and Services to the Gas and Oil Industry in Rio Grande do Norte (REDEPETRO-RN). Thus, our investigation aimed to determine the extent to which sustainability practices of companies associated to REDEPETRO-RN are developed through their own efforts or influenced by the Triple Helix interorganizational arrangement (governamental organizations, education and research institutions, and industries). The research instrument used was a questionnaire in order to map and characterize the sustainability practices. The research subjects were business owners and managers. The data collected supported the descriptive, correspondence and correlation analyzes. Were identified a greater emphasis of the companies surveyed in developing sustainability practices and greater economic influence of business organizations in the construction of sustainability status. It was concluded with confirmation of thesis of the REDEPETRO-RN arrangement exhibits the characteristics and functioning of a common Interorganizational Cooperative Arrangement, not those of a triple helix interorganizational arrangement, given that the influences exerted for the development of social, environmental and economical sustainability on the part of teaching and research institutions, and government and business organizations do not interact with one another sufficiently to create a virtuous circle of cooperation among the associated companies. By contrast, the Interorganizational Cooperative Arrangement plays an important role in strengthening the competitiveness of companies affiliated to REDEPETRO-RN, by combining different competencies in an attempt at supporting the adoption of sustainability practices, a role reinforced by the scope of PETROBRAS, which, due to its economic importance, has considerable weight in the managerial decisions of associated companies / Esta pesquisa explorou a gest?o de pr?ticas de sustentabilidade social, ambiental e econ?mica de 72 empresas associadas ? Rede de Articula??o Empresarial para Amplia??o da Capacidade Competitiva dos Fornecedores de Bens e Servi?os do Setor de Petr?leo e G?s do Rio Grande do Norte (REDEPETRO-RN), procurando responder em que medida as pr?ticas de sustentabilidade das empresas associadas ? rede s?o explicadas por um esfor?o pr?prio ou s?o influenciadas pelo arranjo interorganizacional do tipo H?lice Tripla configurado pela REDEPETRO-RN. (organiza??es governamentais, institui??es de ensino e pesquisa e organiza??es empresariais). O instrumento utilizado foi o question?rio junto aos empres?rios e gestores. Os dados coletados subsidiaram a realiza??o de an?lises descritivas, de correspond?ncia e correla??o. Identificou-se uma maior ?nfase das empresas no desenvolvimento de pr?ticas de sustentabilidade econ?mica e uma maior influ?ncia das organiza??es empresariais na constru??o desse status de sustentabilidade, confirmando a tese de que o arranjo REDEPETRO-RN apresenta caracter?sticas e funcionamento de um Arranjo Cooperativo Interoganizacional (ACI) comum, n?o apresentando caracter?sticas de um arranjo interorganizacional do tipo H?lice Tripla, dado as influ?ncias exercidas para o desenvolvimento de pr?ticas de sustentabilidade social, ambiental e econ?mica por parte das institui??es de ensino e pesquisa, das organiza??es governamentais e empresariais n?o interagirem entre si suficientemente para configurar um c?rculo virtuoso de coopera??o entre as empresas associadas. No entanto, o Arranjo Cooperativo Interorganizacional tem um papel importante no fortalecimento da competitividade das empresas associadas ? REDEPETRORN, ao reunir diferentes compet?ncias e tentar articul?-las para apoiar entre outras a??es a ado??o de pr?ticas de sustentabilidade, papel valorizado pela for?a da PETROBRAS, que em fun??o de sua import?ncia econ?mica tem um peso consider?vel nas decis?es gerenciais das empresas associadas

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.

The purpose of this work is conceiving theoretically a firm in the post-Keynesian perspective, which is able to contribute to the heterodox microeconomic literature, especially the theory of the firm. In particular, Keynes criticism to the neoclassical is a forerunner in the search of elements that are able to outline the post-Keynesian firm. It starts with the notion of monetary production economy, the way in which Keynes conceptualized capitalist economies, through the non-neutrality of money, the active role that the business man has on the economy and thus the firm in which it operates, without forgetting to highlight the epistemological and environmental uncertainty. It is on this basis that the post-Keynesian turn to the microeconomic approach, highlighting, albeit in a diffuse way, elements such as pricing and production assets and investment market, competitiveness, technological performance, among others, meeting, will serve as constituents of the firm outlined in this paper. Without a particular firm defined, the strategy of this work was guided to seek a mirror to what is meant by firm in literature elsewhere, as namely the Resource Based View (RBV). From a concept of a firm already formed, the RBV provides guidance for the elements to get noticed amidst the diverse and scattered contributions developed by Keynes and the Post Keynesians. / O objetivo da dissertação é conceber teoricamente uma firma sob a perspectiva pós-keynesiana que seja capaz de contribuir para a literatura heterodoxa microeconômica, em especial da teoria da firma. Neste particular, a crítica de Keynes aos neoclássicos é precursora na busca de elementos que sejam capazes de delinear a firma pós-keynesiana. Parte-se da noção de economia monetária de produção, forma pela qual Keynes conceituou as economias capitalistas, passando pela noção da não-neutralidade da moeda, pelo papel ativo que o empresário exerce na economia e, consequentemente na firma em que ele atua, sem deixar de destacar a incerteza epistemológica e ambiental. É com esta base que os pós-keynesianos voltam-se para o enfoque microeconômico, destacando, ainda que de forma difusa, elementos como: a determinação de preço e de produção, mercado de ativos e investimento, competitividade, desempenho tecnológico, entre outros. Estes elementos reunidos servirão como constituintes da firma delineada neste trabalho. Sem uma firma definida, a estratégia deste trabalho orientou-se em buscar um espelho para o que se entende por firma em literatura alhures, qual seja, a Visão Baseada em Recursos (RBV). A partir de um conceito de firma já formado, a RBV oferece orientação para os elementos a serem notados em meio às diversas e dispersas contribuições desenvolvidas por Keynes e pelos pós-keynesianos. / Mestre em Economia

Quais as causas e condições que levam à ocorrência de diferentes estruturas de Coordenação Vertical (CV) dentro de uma mesma indústria? Este estudo objetiva identificar, caracterizar e analisar as diferentes formas de coordenação vertical encontradas em onze empresas pertencentes ao setor de pêssegos em conserva no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil). A presente pesquisa, caracterizada como um estudo multi-caso, utilizou-se de duas abordagens teóricas da Economia para estruturar seu modelo de análise: a da Economia dos Custos de Transação e a da Visão Baseada em Recursos. Os resultados revelam que os fatores mais relevantes para a escolha da definição das estruturas de coordenação vertical entre empresas e fornecedores (destas indústrias) são transacionais e de recursos. Altos níveis de incerteza e oportunismo (custos de transação) levam as empresas a adotar estruturas hierárquicas de coordenação (produção própria). O estudo da dinâmica evolutiva das estruturas de Coordenação Vertical permitiu relaciona-las às características dos recursos e dos custos das transações. A primeira, relacionando o modelo de Coordenação Vertical adotado pela empresa aos tipos de recursos (tangíveis e intangíveis) disponíveis; e a segunda, à imprevisibilidade e relevância de problemas no fluxo de suprimento de matéria-prima. A disponibilidade de recursos intangíveis mostrou ter um forte impacto sobre a adoção de relações mais integradas com fornecedores, enquanto que uma maior disponibilidade de recursos tangíveis exerce uma pressão maior no sentido da verticalização da produção de suprimentos. E a segunda, relacionando a imprevisibilidade e a relevância dos problemas no suprimento de matéria prima. Quanto maior a imprevisibilidade ou velocidade de ocorrência e relevância de um problema no fluxo de suprimentos maior será a tendência de reação no sentido da verticalização da produção e vice-versa. / What are the causes and conditions that lead to the existence of different vertical co-ordination (VC) structures within the same industry? This study aims to identify, characterize and analyze the varying forms of VC found in eleven firms that comprise the peach conserve industry in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). In order to establish its analysis model, the present research, which may be characterized as a multi-case study, was based on two theoretical concepts on economics: the Transactional Costs Economics, and the Resources Based View. The results obtained reveal that the most relevant factors that influence the choice of VC structure among these firms and their suppliers are transactional and resources. High levels of uncertainty and opportunism (transaction factors) lead firms to adopt more hierarchical VC structures (own production). Studying the VC structures evolutive dynamics, it was allowed to relate them to the characteristics of Resources and Transactional Costs. The former one has related the VC model adopted by the firm to the different kinds of available resources (tangible or intangible); and the latter one, to the unforeseeability and relevance of raw material supply flow difficulties. Bigger intangible resources availability is shown to have a strong impact on the adoption of more integrated VC structures; whereas greater capital availability moves firms towards a more hierarchical VC of supplies production. Second, the bigger the unforeseeability and the relevance of raw material supply flow difficulties, accordingly bigger will be the reaction tendency to a production verticalization, and vice-versa.

Although emerging economies have received increased attention by both firms and academia in recent decades, there is still more that can be done. Calls have been made by both academic authors and journals to conduct research within institutionally voided environments, a call that was answered by this study. Specifically, this study answers calls related to: examining institutional strategies; examining the relationship between nonmarket and market exchanges. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how the nonmarket-market relationship affects firm strategies and behavior in Cambodia, an especially voided country due to their turbulent recent history. A second layer of the purpose was to compare firms and explore their similarities and differences to understand the isomorphic pressures of Cambodia. A qualitative case study approach to the study was undertaken to achieve the study’s purpose. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with various managers who have the ability to make strategic decisions in their respective firms. All the interviewees were from the private sector but were scattered throughout different industries and were asked about their experiences and perception of the Cambodian business environment, mainly focusing on the institutional context. The data collected were then structured based on three main themes and corresponding subthemes. This thematic division was the basis for the analysis of the study as well as the conclusion. Based on the analysis of the data, it can be concluded that the nonmarket is indeed superordinate to the market environment in Cambodia. From a macro perspective, the institutional voids affect all firms in Cambodia, and the firms utilize similar variations of four institutional strategies: internalization, substitution, buffering, and bridging. Because the nonmarket environment in Cambodia is so strong, this results in both voids in the market environment and firms becoming more isomorphic. These four strategies were not the only ones identified, other strategies, namely outsourcing and institutional borrowing, were noted as well because of the institutional voids. Theoretically, this study contributes to revising and improving Institutional Theory and reinforcing both Institutional Theory and the Resource-Based View. Social contributions relate to assisting policymakers in Cambodia to understanding their most problematic institutions and developing or improving those institutions. Practical contributions are aimed at practitioners seeking to or doing business in Cambodia, assisting them in understanding the institutional context of Cambodia and knowing how to navigate within its boundaries. This practical contribution can also be considered a social contribution, as more businesses enter Cambodia and as firms grow, the combination of firm entrance and growth creates more jobs and stimulates the economy.

Det har blivit till en global insikt att jordens framtid, i mångt och mycket, vilar i människans händer. Ett fortsatt överutnyttjande av resurser i samspel med de avsevärda växthusgaserna som släpps ut är därmed förödande för samhället. Just detaljhandeln är en bransch som bidrar till omfattande negativa effekter på samhället, dels på grund utav det enorma matsvinn som varje dag blir då produkter passerar ”bäst före-datum” och dels beroende på de negativa utsläpp som blir vid produktionen av vissa produkter. Forskning har visat att åtskilliga företag inom detaljhandeln idag väljer att beakta sitt CSR-engagemang (bidrag till ett mer hållbart samhälle) som en resurs. Dock står detaljhandeln inför många betydande risker och offentlig kritik i relation till hur de beaktar sitt CSR-engagemang som en resurs. Kritiken handlar bland annat om hur livsmedelsbutiker tar sitt ansvar i försörjningskedjan. Givet den exponering (problematik) detaljhandeln står inför beträffande de betydande riskerna och den offentliga kritiken som kan bli faktum om inte CSR-aspekter beaktas blir det därför betydelsefullt att undersöka detta område: Hur kan ett aktivt CSR-arbete betraktas vara en långsiktig konkurrensfördel (inom detaljhandeln)? Studien tar sin utgångspunkt i den resursbaserade vyn och VRIO-ramverket. Det förstnämnda syftar till att identifiera ett företags konkurrensfördelar medan VRIO-ramverket analyserar hur konkurrensfördelarna kan bli långsiktiga. Till studien används en kvalitativ metod där semistrukturerade intervjuer genomförts på tre svenska företag inom detaljhandeln, samt analys av tillhörande företagsdokument. Slutsatsen visar att det inte är möjligt att dra någon allmängiltig slutsats angående om ett aktivt CSR-arbete kan betraktas vara en långsiktig konkurrensfördel eller inte. Slutsatsen är istället att ett aktivt CSR-engagemang bör ses som en potentiell källa till att uppnå långsiktig konkurrensfördel samt att ett företags CSR-engagemang i framtiden kommer vara av existentiell betydelse för det egna företaget. / It has become a general knowledge that the future of the earth rests in the hands of humankind. A continued over-exploitation of resources in interaction with the significant greenhouse gases being emitted is consequently devastating to society. Just the retail sector is an industry that contributes to the significant negative effects on society, partly due to the negative emissions that occur in the production of certain products and partly because of the huge food waste every day when products pass” best before dates”. Research has shown that several retail companies today choose to pay regard to their CSR commitment (contribution to a more sustainable society) as a resource. However, retailing faces many significant risks and public criticism in relation to how they consider their CSR commitment as a resource. Given the increased awareness and consideration of CSR as a resource in relation to the problematic retail trade, it is therefore important to investigate: How active CSR work can be regarded as a long term competitive advantage (within retail)? Which aims to understand the relationship between retail and CSR activities. The study will be based on the resource based view and the VRIO-framework. The former aims at identifying a company's competitive advantage while the VRIO-framework analyzes how the competitive benefits can be long term. The study used a qualitative method in which semi-structured interviews have been used in meetings with three major companies in the retail sector in Sweden. Furthermore, the companies' documents were also examined. The result revealed that we cannot draw a general conclusion about whether active CSR work can be considered as a long-term competitive advantage or not, but it should be seen as a potential source for achieving long term competitive advantage. On the other hand, the study concluded that a company's CSR commitment will be decisive in order to remain in the future market.