This thesis develops suitable approaches to conduct environment-related research in organisations, as well as systematic means for understanding the emergent phenomenon of ecological modernisation in industrialised societies. The study is organised in two distinct parts: While Part I deals with environment-related theories and practices in (and around) modern organisations, Part II situates such theories and practices in an analysis of the context of the European automobile industry. The research problem is defined through several stages. The research questions driving Part I are premised on the exploratory nature of the study, developed in an unfolding interplay between the review of the literature, the collection of secondary and (exploratory) primary data, and the analysis and interpretation of the data. As the initial question is answered by reviewing the literature and interpreting the primary and secondary data, another question arises from the process, which then requires further research. Part II of the study departs from a proposition based on ecological modernisation theory, that pro-active environmental practices in corporations are part of a broader emergent sociological phenomenon, typical of modern industrialised societies. It analyses a specific socio-technical context that, hypothetically, is undergoing such process - that of the European automobile industry. Hence, the development of Part II aims at answering the following principal research question: Why is the European automobile industry undergoing ecological modernisation? Analytically, the concept of automobile field is proposed to establish a link between the product (automobile) and the context embedding its systems of production and consumption (field). The exploratory character of the study implied that the most adequate research procedures were of a qualitative nature. A combination of grounded theory and reflexive methodology is used to orientate the overall research process, which introduces a novel approach for the triangulation of qualitative data. Together, the chapters forming Part II of the thesis answer the principal research question. The fundamental technologies of the current technological regime of the automobile, as well as the economic and environmental implications of this regime are analysed. Then, an analysis of selected pilot programs to develop and commercialise electric vehicles, as well as schemes for the management of end-of-life vehicles in the Western European context is developed. Through the interplay between data collection and analysis, the thesis designs an analytical framework, built upon contingent factors, as well as circuits of political ecology, that foster or inhibit ecological modernisation in the automobile field. The study showed that the auto industry has developed incremental technological innovations and practices that resemble the pre-requisites for ecological modernisation. Radical innovations, however, are more likely to be initiated by outsiders. The concepts inherited from the past and reproduced in the present practice of car design explains such a situation as one that imposes a specific set of technologies on car manufacturing that require high levels of investment in systems of production. Such design paradigm not only imposes high break-even points for most car models; they also result in vehicles with extremely low environmental performance and entail serious limitations for increasing recycling rates of non-metallic parts. The characteristics of ecological modernisation in the European automobile industry are used to evaluate whether this phenomenon is conducive to sustainable industrial development. As an implication of this analysis, the concluding chapter presents suggestions for the enhancement of ecological modernisation theory. Fallibility is proposed as both a source of reflection about the appropriation of knowledge and a principle that can be used for the definition of eco-modernising strategies and actions. The acceptance of fallibility as an immanent characteristic of human action is critical for the approximation of the countervailing theories of ecological modernisation and risk society. Finally, if ecological modernisation is expected to facilitate sustainable industrial development, radical technological innovations may be necessary. Such radicalism in technology may need, however, an incremental institutional reform of modern societies. Together, radical technological innovations and incremental institutional reform constitute the concept of radical reformism, which is suggested for enhancement of the ecological modernisation theory, as well as for the development of its normative programmes.

<p>Abstract</p><p>The purpose of this study is to reach conclusions that pertain to the key steps involved in the development of a system of innovation. Once identifiable procedures have been reached, then the research seeks to address the characteristics, or roles, that the actors must adhere to in order to keep the system sustainable. When these two areas of research have been concluded, not only will the research question be addressed, but the general applicability of the system of innovation theories will also be challenged in a scientifically relevant way. The main theoretical concepts that will guide the study are Triple Helix, Sustainability, and Innovation.</p><p>The research approach used is deductive, where the information gathered will deem the study as being qualitative. In order to gather the information, six interviews were conducted with various individuals representing actors within the Triple Helix model, and that information was analyzed through interpretism. Due to the social relations occurring in the study, a hermeneutic positioning will derive an underlying positioning in the approach to theory. Once this approach is used, the empirical information gathered from the interviews will be analyzed versus that of the theoretical framework where the conclusions for the study will be generated.</p><p>The practical issue that inspired this study is the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic occurring in British Columbia, Canada. The timber industry is being decimated due to an increase in the number of beetles, and the result is unusable wood. Because of the resource-reliance in certain milieus that are being effected by the beetle, this study seeks an alternative system for economic stability through a system of innovation.</p><p>The conclusions for the study have very pragmatic characteristics about them. The development of an innovation system begins with the identification of a system leader to mediate the process. The findings suggest that mediation will harmonize the agendas of the actors in the system and work towards a consensus. In addition, contextual issues in the form of knowledge and communication create cultural roadblocks in the implementation process; therefore need to be overcome in order to divert the actors from strict resource dependency. Sustainability in this system involves exclusive responsibilities between the actors involved, but the fundamental challenge rests in routinization of the process. Routinization encompasses micro-level procedures each actor must adhere to, and once this challenge has been overcome, the innovation system will remain sustained.</p>

<p>Under de senaste åren har intresset för miljö ökat och den har fått allt större utrymme i media. En del av uppståndelsen grundar sig i USA’s f.d. vicepresident Al Gore´s engagemang i klimatfrågan, vilket medfört att både privatpersoner och företag har fått upp ögonen för miljö och miljöarbete. Företagen har i allt större grad känt att de måste aktivt jobba för miljön främst för att de känner en press från sina intressenter. Som ett led i deras arbete för en bättre miljö och en hållbar utveckling har företagen under de senare åren börjat upprätta hållbarhetsredovisningar, där de redogör för deras miljömässiga och sociala påverkan samt arbetet med att förbättra dessa delar. Att upprätta en hållbarhetsredovisning är idag frivilligt. Vissa av företagen låter även deras redovisning bli externt granskad, och då kopplas ofta revisionsbyråerna in eftersom de har kompetensen att utföra oberoende bestyrkanden av information. P.g.a. att vi författare var intresserade av deras roll i granskningen koncentrerade vi oss på de riktlinjer och rekommendationer som de använder sig av vid en granskning. Vårt intresse kring detta ledde fram till vår problemformulering som lyder: ”Hur upplever revisionsbyråer granskningen av hållbarhetsredovisningar och är de riktlinjer och rekommendationer som de kommer i kontakt med tillräckliga för att ge en rättvis och tillförlitlig bild?” Vårt huvudsyfte är således att söka förståelse kring revisionsbyråernas syn på dels de rekommendationer som de arbetar enligt, och även de riktlinjer som företagen upprättar sin hållbarhetsredovisning efter.</p><p>Vi har i vår uppsats valt att praktisera en kvalitativ forskningsmetod då vi vill tolka och förstå hur varje respondent upplever de problem som finns kring de riktlinjer och rekommendationer som finns. Detta har bidragit till att vi valt det hermeneutiska synsättet, eftersom vi strävar efter att få en ökad förståelse. I vår studie har vi valt det induktiva synsättet, där vår koncentration ligger i empirin för att sedan koppla detta i viss mån till de teorier vi valt. Den teoretiska referensramen består främst av den institutionella teorin, där rekommendationerna och riktlinjerna ryms, men även legitimitetsteorin presenteras. Datainsamlingen skedde genom telefonintervjuer där vi intervjuade de fyra största revisionsbyråerna i Sverige; KPMG, ÖhrlingsPWC, Ernst & Young och Deloitte. Samtliga respondenter var experter inom området hållbarhetsredovisningar, där några var väldigt framstående.</p><p>De slutsatser vi kommit fram till i uppsatsen är att det finns vissa problem med de verktyg som revisionsbyråerna använder sig av. De rekommendationer som revisorerna använder sig av som ges ut av FAR upplevs fullt tillräckliga, medan de riktlinjer som företag upprättar sin hållbarhetsredovisning efter och ges ut av GRI inte ses som fullständiga. Den största kritiken som framkom var att miljön var åsidosatt jämfört med de sociala aspekterna i en hållbarhetsredovisning.</p>

<p>Recently the interest in green environmentally friendly products and services increased dramatically. This trend does not stop at tourism related products. Therefore, this thesis aims to have a closer look at the sustainability issues in the hospitality industry. The theoretical background of this study defines associated terms like sustainability, sustainable tourism and development as well as eco tourism, because they are often used interchangeably. Moreover, sustainable practices including their benefits within the hotel industry are examined. Lastly, the role and importance of eco labels is analyzed. The second part of this thesis is dominated by a case study of the Swedish-based hotel chain <em>Scandic</em>. A qualitative research approach was chosen in order to explain and describe the case in detail. The findings show that <em>Scandic </em>implemented various sustainable practices in their daily operations. The business believes in the concept of sustainability, incorporates it in every possible area of action and profits from the benefits. <em>Scandic</em> is clearly a leader when it comes to sustainability efforts in the hotel industry. In this regard, the business acts as a role model and may motivate other businesses to follow. The thesis concludes by giving recommendations for further research.</p>

<p>Title: Global Reporting Initiative - A comparative study on compliance with the initiative's guidelines between Ericsson and Vattenfall.</p><p>Authors: Peter Leidhammar, Mattias ThorénSupervisor: Bo EnquistExaminer: Margareta BjurkloSeminar Date: 2009-01-14</p><p>Background and problem formulation: The interest and the requirements that stakeholders have for companies sustainability issues are becoming increasingly important. Thus more companies are increasing their work on their sustainability reports. As there are no laws governing how these are to be designed, standards have been created by various organizations that companies voluntarily can follow. Now, after the Swedish government gave them the directive to follow the GRI's guidelines the Swedish public companies have started to follow this trend. The question then stand how much the private companies' sustainability reports differ from state companies and whether this can be traced to the differences in the companies' ownership and their stakeholders picture.</p><p>Objective: The purpose of the paper is:· analyze how the GRI's guidelines are followed by the two organizations· highlight differences between them from a theoretical perspective</p><p>Limitations: This paper is limited to two companies, one company owned by the government and one privately-owned company. The companies are Vattenfall and Ericsson, both report in accordance with the GRI guidelines.</p><p>Methodology: The study is a case study made on the basis of an abductive approach. The empirical collection was done through a qualitative approach in which the two companies’ reports are examined to demonstrate how well they meet the GRI's indicators. Empirical datashows whether they meet, partially m eets or does not meet the GRI's indicators.</p><p>Results and conclusions: The differences between the two companies are not very apparent when only the total numbers of indicators that are fulfilled, partially fulfilled and not fulfilled are presented. It is within each of the areas of GRI that differences are revealed. The study has found that most of the dissimilarities between the companies cannot be derived from thedifferences in the ownership conditions, but from differences in the business operations of each organization and differences in the market for each organization.</p>

Environmental issues have gained the public's attention significantly in the last several years, and organizations around the United States have increased awareness of green concepts and attempted to be environmentally friendly. Green supply chain management (GSCM) is one of many areas influenced by green awareness. GSCM integrates environmental thinking into supply chain management. In the United States, many organizations adopt GSCM principles into their systems. GSCM has been adopted by various business sectors such as manufacturers, transportation, government, and services. Environmental concepts are embraced by many industries and businesses, specifically in the electronics industry, is one sector most affected due to its unique characteristics such as raw materials, processes, and regulations. / The present study identifies barriers to implementation of green supply chain management in the electronics industry. The study explores factors that prevent companies from implementing green projects, and identifies green implementation types that the electronics industry has adopted in the United States. Data was gathered by survey methods. Data from the interview and the literature review were analyzed and used as input for generating survey questions. Participants represented manufacturers and distributors in the electronics industry in the United States. Survey questions included 33 barriers to green implementation, and readiness to green implementation of the electronics industry using six implementation types. Data was analyzed by SPSS using multivariate techniques. Company characteristics were tested to see the differences in green barriers and implementation readiness. Results showed that the financial impact is the major factor for green implementation by electronics companies. Company size did not impact green supply chain barriers. However, small-sized companies were less ready to implement green initiatives for most projects. Generally, distributors were more affected from barriers to green implementation than manufacturers. Electronics companies were most ready to implement with green manufacturing and packaging projects while projects related to green suppliers were least ready for implementation. Furthermore, companies that have been aware of environmental concerns for a longer period of time were more ready to implement green projects than companies with more recent environmental awareness. The amount of future investment can be predicted from past investment.

Greater knowledge of the short- and long-term effects of biomass production practices on soil biological and chemical properties is needed to determine influences on sustainable land management. Soil samples under switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), other forage grasses, cultivated crops, and forest were collected seasonally at six locations. Soil organic C (SOC), total N, soil microbial biomass C (SMBC) and N (SMBN), soil mineralizable C and N, and basal soil respiration (BSR) were in general greatest under long-term coastal bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pasture (>40 years), second highest under Alamo switchgrass and kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) planted in 1992 and forest, followed by Alamo switchgrass planted in 1997, and was lowest under the cultivated soils. Soil organic C at 0-5 cm was 42-220% greater in soils under Alamo switchgrass planted in 1992 than cultivated soils, except at College Station where SOC values under Alamo planted in 1992 and the cultivated rotation were not significantly different. Although the rotation treatment is cultivated at this location, two high residue crops are used, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.]. Similar trends were noted for total N, SMBC, SMBN, mineralizable C and N, BSR, and the ratio of SMBC/SOC. Insufficient information was collected in this study to determine whether the parameters evaluated for forest and switchgrass were different. In addition to its high yield potential, adaptation to marginal sites and tolerance to water and nutrient limitations, switchgrass appeared to be a competitive crop in terms of land sustainability, resulting in enhanced soil quality characteristics compared to long-term cultivated soils.

Recently the interest in green environmentally friendly products and services increased dramatically. This trend does not stop at tourism related products. Therefore, this thesis aims to have a closer look at the sustainability issues in the hospitality industry. The theoretical background of this study defines associated terms like sustainability, sustainable tourism and development as well as eco tourism, because they are often used interchangeably. Moreover, sustainable practices including their benefits within the hotel industry are examined. Lastly, the role and importance of eco labels is analyzed. The second part of this thesis is dominated by a case study of the Swedish-based hotel chain Scandic. A qualitative research approach was chosen in order to explain and describe the case in detail. The findings show that Scandic implemented various sustainable practices in their daily operations. The business believes in the concept of sustainability, incorporates it in every possible area of action and profits from the benefits. Scandic is clearly a leader when it comes to sustainability efforts in the hotel industry. In this regard, the business acts as a role model and may motivate other businesses to follow. The thesis concludes by giving recommendations for further research.

This research is to give a contribution to  international business and start-ups by showing which keyele ments are essential in establishing a new business and make itsustainable, in our case a golf business.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to reach conclusions that pertain to the key steps involved in the development of a system of innovation. Once identifiable procedures have been reached, then the research seeks to address the characteristics, or roles, that the actors must adhere to in order to keep the system sustainable. When these two areas of research have been concluded, not only will the research question be addressed, but the general applicability of the system of innovation theories will also be challenged in a scientifically relevant way. The main theoretical concepts that will guide the study are Triple Helix, Sustainability, and Innovation. The research approach used is deductive, where the information gathered will deem the study as being qualitative. In order to gather the information, six interviews were conducted with various individuals representing actors within the Triple Helix model, and that information was analyzed through interpretism. Due to the social relations occurring in the study, a hermeneutic positioning will derive an underlying positioning in the approach to theory. Once this approach is used, the empirical information gathered from the interviews will be analyzed versus that of the theoretical framework where the conclusions for the study will be generated. The practical issue that inspired this study is the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic occurring in British Columbia, Canada. The timber industry is being decimated due to an increase in the number of beetles, and the result is unusable wood. Because of the resource-reliance in certain milieus that are being effected by the beetle, this study seeks an alternative system for economic stability through a system of innovation. The conclusions for the study have very pragmatic characteristics about them. The development of an innovation system begins with the identification of a system leader to mediate the process. The findings suggest that mediation will harmonize the agendas of the actors in the system and work towards a consensus. In addition, contextual issues in the form of knowledge and communication create cultural roadblocks in the implementation process; therefore need to be overcome in order to divert the actors from strict resource dependency. Sustainability in this system involves exclusive responsibilities between the actors involved, but the fundamental challenge rests in routinization of the process. Routinization encompasses micro-level procedures each actor must adhere to, and once this challenge has been overcome, the innovation system will remain sustained.