As global inequality reaches unprecedented levels, social entrepreneurship has emerged as a promising tool for addressing this and fighting some of the most challenging social issues of our time. This thesis seeks to dive into the specific challenges that social entrepreneurs encounter in low-income settings by conducting a case study in the favelas in Brazil, one of the world’s most widely recognized low-income areas. By conducting a comprehensive literature review, the thesis establishes a conceptual framework for the challenges facing social entrepreneurs in low-income settings. This is used to guide the analysis for the data collection in a deductive manner. Data is collected using semi-structured interviews with seven social entrepreneurs operating within the favelas. The findings reveal that the interviewed social entrepreneurs in the favelas face significant obstacles across five main areas: financial capital, legal and regulatory environment, infrastructure, human capital, and social capital. These challenges are consistent with the conceptual framework of challenges facing social entrepreneurs in low-income settings. / I takt med att den globala ojämlikheten når rekordnivåer har socialt entreprenörskap vuxit fram som ett lovande verktyg för att tackla några av vår tids mest utmanande samhällsfrågor. Denna avhandling syftar till att undersöka de specifika utmaningar som sociala entreprenörer möter i låginkomstmiljöer genom att genomföra en fältstudie i favelorna i Brasilien, ett av världens mest kända låginkomstområden. Genom att göra en omfattande litteraturgenomgång etablerar avhandlingen först ett konceptuellt ramverk för de utmaningar som sociala entreprenörer i låginkomstmiljöer står inför. Denna används senare för att vägleda analysen av datainsamlingen på ett deduktivt sätt. Data samlas in med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer med sju sociala entreprenörer verksamma inom dessa områden. Resultaten visar att de intervjuade sociala entreprenörerna möter betydande hinder inom fem huvudområden: finansiellt kapital, lagar och regler, infrastruktur, humankapital och socialt kapital. Dessa utmaningar är i linje med det konceptuella ramverket för utmaningar som sociala entreprenörer står inför i låginkomstområden.

Between 2000 and 2015 the Millennium Development Goals were the focus of much global attention and activity. They were selected in light of astounding poverty, with over 1 billion people at the time living on less than $1 per day. In a sense the MDGs were morally undeniable. The focus of this study is MDG2, universal primary education. It sets out to establish how and why MDG2 came to be selected. Whilst its selection seems obvious, for years developing countries complained about the short-sightedness of prioritising primary over secondary and tertiary education (Klees 2008). A task force commissioned by the World Bank and UNESCO at the time showed that the Bank’s rate of return analysis on primary education was flawed. It argued that developing countries need highly educated people to be economic and social entrepreneurs, develop good governance, strong institutions and infrastructure. In this way MDG2’s selection is problematic. Using case study method, first the literature is examined. Three hypotheses are generated: one based on a rational synoptic theory, one on critical theory and one on world society theory. A range of data are used to establish findings and test hypotheses. The study then considers implications of the findings for theory and the policy process. The findings show that priorities promoting more equal opportunities, such as MDG2, were gradually preferred. Whereas priorities promoting more equal outcomes, such as elimination of trade barriers, were gradually excluded. The study finds no evidence that the General Assembly ever voted on the list of 8 MDGs. Rather, the MDGs were selected by elite policy actors, addressing multiple interests. The study considers the assertion that marginalization of the poor does not happen because people harbor ill will toward them, rather because “The poor have no friends among the global elite” (Pogge 2011, p. 62).

The Sustainable Development Goals SDGs were adopted in 2015. The contribution of FBOs in their achievement is however, not properly recognised owing partly to the historical perception of FBOs as peripheral rather than core development actors. Using the case study of one FBO in Kenya, this study examined the relevance of FBOs’ development work to the SDGs. Using Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and a literature review for data collection, the study found that: FBOs possess a dual identity (faith and development). The faith identity gives them some comparative advantages over secular counterparts in engaging local faith communities; there was a direct link between the FBOs’ work and the SDGs. The case study organisation directly contributed to six of the 17 SDGs; the FBOs’ knowledge on SDGs and their engagement with SDG forums were found to be limited. The study recommends a renewed attention to FBOs work and more studies to increase evidence on the FBOs’ role and impact on SDGs. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

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Структура магистерской диссертации включает введение, три главы, заключение, список литературы. В первой главе будет определено понятие устойчивого развития, формирование устойчивости и методы оценки эффективности улучшения устойчивого развития. Во второй главе будет представлена методология исследования с углубленным анализом собранных данных. В третьей главе будут исследованы проблемы и механизмы управления устойчивым развитием компании и рекомендации по стратегии устойчивого развития, а также будет оценена их эффективность. Диссертация завершится кратким изложением основных выводов и их последствий для устойчивого развития современных корпораций. / The structure of the master's thesis includes an introduction, three chapters, conclusion, list of references. The first chapter will define the concept of sustainable development, the formation of sustainability and the methods for evaluating the effectiveness of improving sustainable development. The second chapter will provide the research methodology with an in-depth analysis the collected data. In the third chapter, will explore the problems and mechanisms of the company's sustainable development management and recommendations for sustainable development strategy, and their effectiveness will be evaluated. The thesis will conclude with a summary of the key findings and their implications for the sustainable development of modern corporations.

[pt] A dissertação faz uma análise do Programa Nacional de Produção e Uso do Biodiesel (PNPB), criado em 2005, que introduziu na matriz energética brasileira o biodiesel, um combustível renovável e orgânico, que pode ser produzido a partir de óleos vegetais, gorduras de animais e óleos residuais de frituras. O PNPB estabeleceu a adição do biodiesel ao diesel fóssil de forma gradual e parcial, cujo teor deverá alcançar 15 por cento em 2026. O PNPB é analisado com base nos três pilares da sustentabilidade, considerando os aspectos econômicos, sociais e ambientais. Na economia, apesar dos custos do biodiesel serem maiores que os do diesel fóssil, o PNPB vem contribuindo para reduzir a sua importação, melhorando o saldo da balança comercial. Na questão ambiental, o biodiesel, ao substituir parcialmente o consumo de diesel, contribui para a descarbonização do setor de transporte e para que o Brasil cumpra seu objetivo de redução de emissões, determinado no Acordo de Paris (2015), uma vez que o biodiesel emite cerca de 70 por cento menos GEE, em relação ao diesel fóssil. No aspecto social, embora não tenha cumprido o objetivo original de priorizar a agricultura familiar do Norte e Nordeste, o PNPB instituiu desonerações fiscais através do Selo Biocombustível Social aos produtores de biodiesel que adquirissem matérias-primas da agricultura familiar, fomentando a inclusão social, a geração de trabalho e renda no campo e o desenvolvimento regional. Desse modo, o PNPB contribui para os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS), que englobam metas ambientais, econômicas e sociais, que deverão ser cumpridas até 2030. A dissertação também analisa se há competição relevante pelo uso da terra entre a produção de biodiesel e as terras reservadas à conservação ambiental ou utilizadas na produção de alimentos. Por fim, são analisados diferentes cenários tendenciais de produção e uso do biodiesel e biocombustíveis no Brasil, em um contexto em que os veículos elétricos tendem a ser cada vez mais disseminados, mas com intensidade menor no caso dos veículos pesados (caminhões e ônibus) e nos países em desenvolvimento. / [en] The dissertation analyzes the National Program for the Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB), created in 2005, which introduced biodiesel into the Brazilian energy matrix, a renewable and organic fuel that can be produced from vegetable oils, animal fats and used cooking oil. The PNPB established the gradual and partial addition of biodiesel to fossil diesel, whose content should reach 15 percent in 2026. The PNPB was analyzed based on the three pillars of sustainability, considering the economic, social and environmental aspects. In the economy, despite the higher costs of biodiesel than diesel, the PNPB has contributed to reducing diesel imports, improving the trade balance. On the environmental side, biodiesel contributes to the decarbonization of the transport sector by partly replacing diesel consumption. It also helps Brazil to meet its Paris Agreement emission reduction objectives, since biodiesel emits about 70 percent less GHG than fossil diesel. In terms of social contribution, even though it did not fulfill its original objective to prioritize family farming in the North and Northeast, the PNPB instituted tax breaks for biodiesel producers who purchase raw materials from family farmers through the Social Biofuel Certificate, fostering social inclusion, the generation of jobs and income in the countryside and regional development. In this way, the PNPB contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include environmental, economic and social goals, which must be met by 2030. The dissertation also analyzes whether there is relevant land use competition between the production of biodiesel with land reserved for environmental conservation or used in food production. Finally, different future scenarios of production and use of biodiesel and biofuels in Brazil are analyzed, in a context in which electric vehicles tend to be increasingly widespread, but with lower intensity in the case of heavy vehicles (trucks and buses) and in developing countries.

The manufacturing industry is accountable for a significant amount of carbon emissions released, and manufacturers experience pressure from stakeholders to address the sustainability issues and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, the lack of verified frameworks to achieve a sustainable supply chain makes it difficult to revisit their supply chain strategies. This study benchmarks how manufacturing companies in Sweden achieve sustainability in their supply chains by examining the a priori and post-implementation factors required, as well as how the sustainability initiatives are structured. The study is a multiple case study, which started with a literature review to gain a relevant understanding of the research problem. Semi-structured interviews were held with seven case companies in different sectors in the manufacturing industry and with two environmental consultants. The findings prove that manufacturing companies achieve sustainability in their supply chains by combining a priori and post-implementation factors with aspects regarding the structure of the initiatives. Top management commitment and management providing the necessary means to drive the initiative are crucial a priori factors. Moreover, the findings demonstrate to define ownership of the tasks in the initiative and that top management should integrate sustainability in the business model and have a budget for sustainability initiatives. Prioritizing the activities with the largest value creation is important, where a materiality analysis facilitates. Training employees and management on sustainability, and encouraging the employees to find green improvements are necessary. Post implementation, adopting a circular process is critical, while also ensuring sufficient resources throughout the initiatives. Moreover, the findings highlight strict governance with clearly defined ownership over time, the more decentralized the better. A cross-functional organization is advantageous for achieving the above-mentioned factors. The reason for pursuing an initiative must be defined to enable clear goals. Backcasting and a materiality analysis are useful tools to create measurable goals accordingly, and the goals should be scientifically approved by the Science Based Target initiative. In the execution, using previous experiences on internal and external platforms aid the case companies with their goal conflict prioritization. Lastly, frequent follow ups are critical, where the follow-up process should follow international standards. It is necessary to have a defined process for follow ups and have traceable follow ups to view the progress. / Tillverkningsindustrin står för en betydande mängd av världens koldioxidutsläpp, och tillverkningsbolag blir alltmer pressade av intressenter att ta itu med hållbarhetsfrågorna och bidra till FN:s globala mål för hållbar utveckling. Bristen på verifierade ramverk för att uppnå en hållbar försörjningskedja försvårar för företag att se över deras hållbarhetsstrategier. Denna benchmarkingstudie om hur tillverkningsföretag i Sverige uppnår hållbarhet i sina försörjningskedjor undersöker de faktorer som krävs innan och efter en implementering av ett hållbarhetsinitiativ, samt hur initiativen är strukturerade. Fallstudien började med en litteraturundersökning för att få relevant förståelse och kunskap om forskningsproblemet. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med sju fallföretag inom olika sektorer i tillverkningsindustrin och med två miljökonsulter. Resultaten visar att tillverkningsföretag uppnår hållbarhet genom att kombinera kritiska faktorer innan och efter utförandet, samt att följa aspekter som rör initiativens struktur. Engagemang från högsta ledningen som ger nödvändiga medel för att driva initiativet är avgörande innan implementeringen. Dessutom visar resultaten att fallföretagen och högsta ledningen bör integrera hållbarhet i affärsmodellen och ha en budget för hållbarhetsinitiativ. Att prioritera aktiviteter med störst värdeskapande är viktigt, där en väsentlighetsanalys underlättar. Det är nödvändigt att utbilda medarbetarna och ledningen inom hållbarhet och uppmuntra de anställda att hitta miljöförbättringar. Efter implementeringen är det avgörande att arbeta i en cirkulär process, samtidigt som det säkerställs tillräckligt med resurser genom hela initiativet. Dessutom visar resultaten att en strikt styrning med tydligt definierat ägarskap över tid är essentiellt, och ju mer decentraliserat desto bättre. En tvärfunktionell organisation är fördelaktig för att uppnå ovan nämnda faktorer. Anledningen till att driva ett initiativ måste definieras för att möjliggöra tydliga mål. Backcasting och väsentlighetsanalyser är användbara verktyg för att skapa mätbara mål utifrån, samt att målen bör vara vetenskapligt godkända i enlighet med Science Based Target initiative. Under genomförandet anser fallföretagen att det är viktigt att beakta tidigare erfarenheter av att driva hållbarhetsinitiativ, då det underlättar målkonfliktprioriteringen. Slutligen är frekventa uppföljningar kritiska, där uppföljningsprocessen bör följa en internationell standard. Det är även nödvändigt att ha en definierad och spårbar process för uppföljningen för att tydligt se framstegen.