This master thesis investigates the integration of stakeholder analysis into the Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) for green industries, with a particular focus on its relevance within the framework of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). With a deadline for compliance by large companies operating in the European Union by 2025, urgency surrounds the need to comprehensively understand the Impacts, Risks and Opportunities (IROs). The study centers on H2 Green Steel (H2GS), a pioneering green industry in Sweden, to examine two of its key stakeholders, the society and the planet. As a silent stakeholder, the planet requires a unique approach within the DMA process. By utilizing action research methodology, stakeholders representing society and the planet are studied, offering insights that can be applied as a model for other companies undertaking similar assessments. Through a combination of data collection methods including mapping H2GS’s value chain, conducting semi-structured interviews, and utilising stakeholder analysis tools, such a power-interest grid, the study identifies key stakeholders and assesses their relationships with the company. Additionally, the study evaluates IROs related to the planet through a comparative analysis of methods outlined by the DMA guideline, ensuring comprehensivecoverage of the silent stakeholder’s perspective. The findings underscore the critical role ofcivil society stakeholders, particularly in the context of large industries within small communities. Continuous dialogue is essential for integrating societal perspectives into corporate strategies. Moreover, for planetary stakeholders, a multifaceted approach combining global research, local assessments, engagement with proxy organizations, and validation by expert groups is recommended to ensure a comprehensive understanding of related IROs. Engagement with indigenous communities, such as the Sámi in Sweden, is emphasized to address social implications effectively. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement in the DMA process, offering insights and methodologies that can aidcompanies in assessing their impacts comprehensively, thereby contributing to corporatesustainability and regulatory compliance. / Denna masteruppsats undersöker integrationen av intressentanalys i Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) för gröna industrier, med särskilt fokus på dess relevans inom ramen för Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Med en deadline för efterlevnad av stora företag som är verksamma i Europeiska unionen senast 2025, är det ett brådskande behov av att på ett heltäckande sätt förstå Impacts, Risks and Opportunities (IROs). Studien fokuserar på H2 Green Steel (H2GS), en banbrytande grön industri i Sverige, för att undersöka två av dess viktigaste intressenter, samhälle och planet. Som en tyst intressent kräver planeten ett unikt tillvägagångssätt inom DMA-processen. Genom att använda aktionsforskningsmetodik studeras intressenter som representerar samhället och planeten, vilket ger insikter som kan användas som modell för andra företag som gör liknande bedömningar. Genom en kombination av datainsamlingsmetoder inklusive kartläggning av H2GS värdekedja, genomförande av semistrukturerade intervjuer och utnyttjande av analysverktyg för intressenter, såsom ett kraftnät, identifierar studien nyckelintressenter och bedömer deras relationer med företaget. Dessutom utvärderar studien IROs relaterade till planeten genom en jämförande analys av metoder som beskrivs i DMA-riktlinjen, vilket säkerställer en omfattande täckning av den tysta intressentens perspektiv. Resultaten understryker den avgörande roll som det civila samhällets intressenter spelar, särskilt i samband med stora industrier inom små samhällen. En kontinuerlig dialog är väsentlig för att integrera samhällsperspektiv i företagsstrategier. Dessutom, för planetära intressenter, rekommenderas ett mångfacetterat tillvägagångssätt som kombinerar global forskning, lokala bedömningar, engagemang med proxyorganisationer och validering av expertgrupper för att säkerställa en heltäckande förståelse av relaterade IROs. Engagemang med ursprungsbefolkningar, såsom samerna i Sverige, betonas för att effektivt kunna hantera sociala konsekvenser. Sammanfattningsvis understryker denna studie vikten av intressenternas engagemang i DMA-processen, och erbjuder insikter och metoder som kan hjälpa företag att bedöma deras effekter på ett heltäckande sätt, och därmed bidra till företagens hållbarhet och regelefterlevnad.

This study explored the barriers and enablers of collaboration within circular supply chains in the textile industry, focusing on the Malmö and Copenhagen regions. Through a qualitative case study approach, the research analyzed stakeholder engagement, technological integration, sustainable practices, policy support, and economic considerations. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, providing insights into the complexities of transitioning to circular economy practices. The findings emphasized the critical role of proactive stakeholder involvement, technological advancements, and supportive policies in fostering collaboration and sustainability. The study contributed to both theoretical understanding and practical applications, offering a robust framework for promoting circular economy initiatives in the textile sector.

The increasing amount of power and potentially negative impacts that corporations exert within society has become a growing concern for many people. In response to this and due to the changing role of business in society, more and more members of social groups, who are affected by corporate activities, are claiming their rights to be better informed of and more involved in corporate decision-making. Consequently, the need for companies worldwide to be more accountable for the ways in which they conduct their business has grown at a tremendous rate. Especially during the last decade, companies have globally been placed under increasing pressure from different stakeholder groups to demonstrate and prove their commitments to the idea of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In order to facilitate and guide these CSR-commitments, society has for many years already begun to implement various standards of behaviour/performance, which corporations need to achieve in order to be accepted as being part of the citizenry. However, despite an abundance of such standards in terms of CSR-related guidelines and codes, a clear need has been identified for the development of better measuring tools of CSR, in order to efficiently assess and monitor companies’ performance. The Bench Marks is one of the most comprehensive sets of social and environmental criteria and business performance indicators available. It offers an ethical standard on which to base decisions about global corporate social responsibility. Consequently, the need arose from the Bench Marks Foundation - in collaboration with the Bench Marks Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility at the North-West University – to develop the current Bench Marks CSR Framework into a practical measuring instrument. This need has successfully been fulfilled through this research by means of two methods, namely a literature review and an empirical study. During the literature study, the concepts CSR and Corporate Personality were contextualised - particularly with the investigation of related concepts; as well as critically examined - specifically in terms of their theoretical measurement properties. During the empirical research, quantitative research techniques have been utilised which involved: the application of certain ‘theoretically recognised phases’ of measuring instrument development; as well as a survey in the form of a ‘preliminary measuring instrument’ (in questionnaire format) that was administered on a random sample respondents (n = 350), including the statistical analysis of the results. 189 Questionnaires were completed, which gave a response rate of 54%. The statistical analysis mainly served as an effective guideline for determining the best CSR items (in terms of reliability and validity) to be included in the final version of the instrument. Apart from measuring CSR performance in line with the Bench Marks, the instrument that has been developed by this study, can also be used as a measuring mechanism for Corporate Personality. This is achieved by assessing company behaviour in terms of the theoretical dimensions of CSR (economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic) and Sustainable Development (economic, social and environmental). In doing so, this instrument provides companies with a unique way of identifying their status of being true Corporate Citizens. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Sociology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Transport Policy in the United Kingdom from the 1950s to the early 1990s has been focused on increasing car use at the expense of investment in public transport services and infrastructure. This has culminated in a poorly integrated public transport network that has seen continued decline in use outside of London. The Competition Act (1998) has exacerbated this, as public operators risked prosecution if they were seen to collaborate. A policy shift in 1998 introduced the concept of Local Transport Plans, Organisational Travel Plans and Quality Partnerships as local policy tools for developing and implementing travel solutions using the planning process. Travel Plans today are viewed by the UK Government as a local delivery tool for transport policy, inspired by the successes in Europe and the United States in changing individual travel behaviour, where the Smart Growth Agenda has emerged as a mass transit based planning response to urban sprawl. In the UK, success in delivering significant modal shift away from private car use has seen limited success, hence the rationale for this research. Using this wider policy context, this research uses the University of Hertfordshire as a case study with the objective to research the development and implementation processes of a Travel Plan. The research conducts a review of travel behaviour within the case study, providing recommendations for implementing alternative interventions to car-based travel. Making use of national policy tools, using insights from both Smarter Travel / Smarter Choice agenda, the research includes the development process of a complex city wide Quality Partnership – a delivery mechanism for travel behaviour change incorporating multiple stakeholders. This thesis uses an embedded and reflective critical realist approach to researching Travel Plans from the perspective of a Travel Plan Coordinator. Through applying a multi-method dimension to empirical data collection, the use of structured quantitative commuter surveys, semi structured qualitative interviews and supporting secondary data sources are all utilised. Using such an approach provides the research with the flexibility for reporting complex social and empirical data, including the researcher’s embedded reflective insights throughout the process. An evaluative matrix ‘lens’ has been developed for reporting back the multitude of factors, including identifying Critical Success Factors and Key Performance Indicators that underpin the success or failure of such travel planning approaches. The research culminates in the development of a Travel Plan for the University of Hertfordshire and a voluntary Quality Partnership for the City and District of St Albans. A conclusion is drawn based on the unique perspective of an embedded reflective researcher as an active practitioner in the field of travel planning. In order to be successful a Travel Plan should feed into the wider quality partnership structures for mutual benefit where multiple stakeholders are able to influence the development of interventions at the local level, which could lead to significant travel behaviour changes. It is argued that this will ultimately help Travel Plans and quality partnerships achieve their key performance objectives and help meet government policy agenda.

Using modeling and computer simulation, this research focuses on studying two different views to organizational design and their implications for performance in the context of academic institutions. One view represents the manifest structure that includes resources (students, faculty, administration, facilities, finances, partners, donors, etc.); the other view represents the latent structure that focuses on dissent. The dissertation addresses the following two questions; 1. What are the tangible dynamic interdependencies constituting the manifest structure within academic institutions and their impact on performance? 2. What is the impact of the latent structures composed of intangible organizational processes, especially dissent, on performance? The dissertation proposes generic system dynamics simulation models untangling the complexity of the topic by tackling various slices of the problem in separate papers. The models are based on three different theoretical frameworks addressing resources and their composition, dissent, and stakeholder engagement. It is observed that while both the manifest and the latent parts of the university organization impact its performance, the latent part, being invisible, is often ignored. In the long run, the influence of the latent part of the organization can slowly but seriously compromise intangible performances components like quality, reputation, and attractiveness. When the manifest part of the organization is dysfunctional, its tangible performance rapidly suffers. The damage control policies will often impact the latent organizational performance leading the institution into a vicious cycle. The presence of time delays in this framework may create an oscillatory behavior that might modulate a growth or decline trend. Performance measures addressing intangible performance components must be factored into the organizational design since faculty, students, and other stakeholders are not only driven by financial rewards, but also by the organizational environment. The research, besides addressing the important question of the role of latent elements in organization design and demonstrating this can be done using system dynamics modeling and computer simulation, should also be of value to the design and management of higher education institutions.

Sustainable entrepreneurship is increasing in importance because it can lead to a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable society. Firms can solve social and environmental problems and be economically self-sustaining at the same time. Innovation is seen as key to find new solutions for environmental sustainability. Furthermore, scholars see stakeholder engagement as a new solution to create innovations for sustainability and environmental sustainability in particular. Since there have only been few empirical studies in sustainable entrepreneurship and current literature does not sufficiently answer the question how stakeholders are engaged to create innovations for environmental sustainability, we dedicated our study to answer the following research question: How are stakeholders engaged in the creation of an innovative product and/or service for environmental sustainability in sustainable entrepreneurial start-ups from the perspective of the firm? We define sustainable entrepreneurial start-ups as self-sustaining and independent companies that discover, evaluate and exploit opportunities to transition to an environmentally sustainable society. Reviewing the literature on sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation and stakeholder engagement results in a tentative model, which shows the process of stakeholder engagement in sustainable entrepreneurial start-ups. Since the field of study is relatively new, there are some question marks and themes in the model that need to be researched further. We conduct a qualitative exploratory study on German and Swedish start-ups in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency with different characteristics to research stakeholder engagement from several perspectives. The data collection technique is semi-structured interviews. We use the abductive approach and the visual mapping strategy in addition to time scales in order to develop understanding of stakeholder engagement. Based on our analysis, we revise the model and show how stakeholders are engaged in sustainable start-ups. Our findings show how different groups of stakeholder such as the team, feedback givers, financial resources givers, technology developers and promoters are engaged to develop the start-ups´ business and innovation throughout the idea- and product development and commercialization. Not only the type of innovation but more aspects such as the relationship to stakeholders and secrecy influence how stakeholders are engaged. Our study has several contributions. For instance, it contributes to stakeholder (engagement) theory and an increased awareness of sustainable entrepreneurial start-ups and their innovative solutions in society. It provides guidelines to start-ups to improve engagement with stakeholders for making their innovations more successful. We recommend further research and give examples of research questions on the topic stakeholder engagement.

The increasing amount of power and potentially negative impacts that corporations exert within society has become a growing concern for many people. In response to this and due to the changing role of business in society, more and more members of social groups, who are affected by corporate activities, are claiming their rights to be better informed of and more involved in corporate decision-making. Consequently, the need for companies worldwide to be more accountable for the ways in which they conduct their business has grown at a tremendous rate. Especially during the last decade, companies have globally been placed under increasing pressure from different stakeholder groups to demonstrate and prove their commitments to the idea of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In order to facilitate and guide these CSR-commitments, society has for many years already begun to implement various standards of behaviour/performance, which corporations need to achieve in order to be accepted as being part of the citizenry. However, despite an abundance of such standards in terms of CSR-related guidelines and codes, a clear need has been identified for the development of better measuring tools of CSR, in order to efficiently assess and monitor companies’ performance. The Bench Marks is one of the most comprehensive sets of social and environmental criteria and business performance indicators available. It offers an ethical standard on which to base decisions about global corporate social responsibility. Consequently, the need arose from the Bench Marks Foundation - in collaboration with the Bench Marks Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility at the North-West University – to develop the current Bench Marks CSR Framework into a practical measuring instrument. This need has successfully been fulfilled through this research by means of two methods, namely a literature review and an empirical study. During the literature study, the concepts CSR and Corporate Personality were contextualised - particularly with the investigation of related concepts; as well as critically examined - specifically in terms of their theoretical measurement properties. During the empirical research, quantitative research techniques have been utilised which involved: the application of certain ‘theoretically recognised phases’ of measuring instrument development; as well as a survey in the form of a ‘preliminary measuring instrument’ (in questionnaire format) that was administered on a random sample respondents (n = 350), including the statistical analysis of the results. 189 Questionnaires were completed, which gave a response rate of 54%. The statistical analysis mainly served as an effective guideline for determining the best CSR items (in terms of reliability and validity) to be included in the final version of the instrument. Apart from measuring CSR performance in line with the Bench Marks, the instrument that has been developed by this study, can also be used as a measuring mechanism for Corporate Personality. This is achieved by assessing company behaviour in terms of the theoretical dimensions of CSR (economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic) and Sustainable Development (economic, social and environmental). In doing so, this instrument provides companies with a unique way of identifying their status of being true Corporate Citizens. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Sociology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Using modeling and computer simulation, this research focuses on studying two different views to organizational design and their implications for performance in the context of academic institutions. One view represents the manifest structure that includes resources (students, faculty, administration, facilities, finances, partners, donors, etc.); the other view represents the latent structure that focuses on dissent. The dissertation addresses the following two questions; 1. What are the tangible dynamic interdependencies constituting the manifest structure within academic institutions and their impact on performance? 2. What is the impact of the latent structures composed of intangible organizational processes, especially dissent, on performance? The dissertation proposes generic system dynamics simulation models untangling the complexity of the topic by tackling various slices of the problem in separate papers. The models are based on three different theoretical frameworks addressing resources and their composition, dissent, and stakeholder engagement. It is observed that while both the manifest and the latent parts of the university organization impact its performance, the latent part, being invisible, is often ignored. In the long run, the influence of the latent part of the organization can slowly but seriously compromise intangible performances components like quality, reputation, and attractiveness. When the manifest part of the organization is dysfunctional, its tangible performance rapidly suffers. The damage control policies will often impact the latent organizational performance leading the institution into a vicious cycle. The presence of time delays in this framework may create an oscillatory behavior that might modulate a growth or decline trend. Performance measures addressing intangible performance components must be factored into the organizational design since faculty, students, and other stakeholders are not only driven by financial rewards, but also by the organizational environment. The research, besides addressing the important question of the role of latent elements in organization design and demonstrating this can be done using system dynamics modeling and computer simulation, should also be of value to the design and management of higher education institutions.

It is impossible for the world to exist without water, then why do socio-political systems treat it like an unnecessary, disposable resource?  Currently, there is a water crisis happening globally, and specifically in Brazil it encompasses tremendous socio-ecological, political, cultural and economic injustices and challenges. The water resources management and the national infrastructures are inadequate to conserve and treat this valuable commodity. As a result, water is mismanaged and misused causing contaminations, scarcity and socio-economic imbalances. This condition is an unacceptable scenery that calls for radical systemic changes and incorporation of innovative approaches in governmental leadership and socio-political organisation and structure in order to achieve better governance. It is in fact a complex situation that urges the civil society and leaders in power to collaborate and collectively act towards a common mission; save the water and impede the water catastrophe that will cause unprecedented consequences in humanity and on the planet. This paper uses qualitative method research, specifically two case studies focused on the South of Brazil to address the revitalization of urban rivers as well as the issue of ocean governance. It also conducts 10 semi-structured interviews with sustainability experts from a multi-dimensional stakeholder perspective. Thus, the most critical findings of the study are the lack of governance and the insufficient engagement of the civil society due to mistrust, conservative leadership and governmental inadequate management of water resources. Moreover, this research concludes that social and public sector innovation encourage societal inclusivity and eventually foster a ‘bottom up’ system change to achieve interactive water governance and socio-political and ecological resilience.

No description available.