The use of digital technologies is increasing both within and beyond the borders of organizations. This is affecting supply chains and has given rise to the concept of digital supply chains, which this research defines as supply chains that leverage information systems and digital technologies to enable interaction and communication between supply chain actors. However, research on this has failed to include the aspect of what in digital technologies that enable digital supply chains. Therefore, this study combines research on digital supply chains with the unique properties of digital technologies stemming from Information Systems research. In this research, we conducted an exploratory case study in the Swedish forestry industry. The research question is: “How do the properties of digital technologies enable digital supply chains and how does information sharing in a digital supply chain impact value creation?” The findings reveal that the properties of digital technologies enable digital supply chains by allowing for modification of content and functionality of information sharing. It was also found that information sharing in a digital supply chain can increase value creation. However, increased information sharing was also associated with a number of challenges that could hinder value creation.

Titel: Vilka likheter och skillnader finns mellan svenska och internationella skogsbruksföretags hållbarhetsrapportering? En kvantitativ innehållsanalys av 17 skogsbruksföretags hållbarhetsrapportering utifrån GRIs miljömässiga indikatorer. Nivå: C-uppsats 15hp inom Civilekonomprogrammet Författare: Enes Mamudi & Hannes König Handledare: Cristoffer Lokatt Examinator: Pia Nylinder Datum: 28/03-2022 - 05/06-2022    Syfte: Tidigare studier har visat att hur företag hållbarhetsrapporterar skiljer sig beroende på bransch och land (Holder-Webb, Cohen, Nath & Wood 2009; Tate, Ellram & Kirchoff 2010; Gamerschlag, Möller & Verbeeten 2010; Bouvain & Chen 2009). Ingen tidigare studie har jämfört hållbarhetsrapporter mellan svenska och internationella inom en och samma bransch, skogsbruksbranschen. Det forskningsgapet strävar denna studie fylla. Syftet med denna studien är att undersöka vilka likheter och skillnader som finns mellan svenska och internationella skogsbruksföretags hållbarhetsrapportering för att se hur de institutionella mekanismerna styr över geografiska gränser. Studien söker även svar på huruvida skogsbruksföretagens miljömässiga hållbarhetsindikatorer efterliknar varandra som konsekvens av sin gemensamma branschtillhörighet för att se de institutionella mekanismernas roll inom branschen.  Metod: Studiens utgår från den positivistiska ståndpunkten med hypoteser som besvaras med en deduktiv linje. Forskningsstrategin är en kvantitativ innehållsanalys med replikerbarheten i fokus. Studien följer en tvärkulturell design i datainsamlingen. Datan analyseras med hjälp av deskriptiv statistik.  Slutsats: Studiens första forskningsfråga visade att det främst finns skillnader mellan hållbarhetsrapporteringen mellan de svenska och internationella skogsbruksföretagen. Studiens andra forskningsfråga gav inte ett lika tydligt svar där företagen efterliknade varandra inom branschen på vissa aspekter men andra inte. Utöver forskningsfrågorna drog författarna slutsatsen att landstillhörighet eventuellt väger tyngre än bransch ur ett teoretiskt perspektiv. Studiens bidrag: Studien ger ett praktiskt bidrag i form av att företag inom branschen kan använda informationen för att jämföra sin hållbarhetsrapportering med andra för att fortsätta vara konkurrenskraftiga. Tidigare forskning av Aras och Crowther (2009) visat att graden av hållbarhetsrapportering ger kommersiella fördelar på marknaden. Informationen är även användbar till företag för att locka investerare då en studie av Braam och Peeters (2018) visat att efterfrågan på hållbarhetsrapportering från dessa ökat. Genom att studera ett outforskat område skapade studien ett teoretiskt bidrag då ett forskningsgap fyllts. Studien visade skillnader i hållbarhetsrapporteringen mellan Sverige och internationellt samt att branschen till viss del efterliknar varandra men att variabeln landstillhörighet eventuellt väger tyngre än variabeln bransch ur ett teoretiskt perspektiv. Vidare forskning: Det skulle vara intressant att studera GRIs sociala och ekonomiska hållbarhetsindikatorer i en liknande studie då denna endast fokuserade på de miljömässiga. Även att granska hållbarhetsrapporter över en tidsperiod för att se förändringar i rapporteringen samt att studera en miljöfarlig bransch för att kunna se likheter och skillnader mot den miljöviktiga skogsindustrin. / Title: What similarities and differences are there between Swedish and international forestry companies sustainability reports? A quantitative content analysis of 17 forestry companies sustainability reporting based on GRI's environmental indicators. Level: C-essay 15 credits in Business Administration Authors: Enes Mamudi & Hannes König Supervisor: Cristoffer Lokatt Examinator: Pia Nylinder Date: 28/03-2022 - 05/06-2022    Aim: Previous studies have shown that how companies report sustainability differs depending on the industry and country (Holder-Webb, Cohen, Nath & Wood 2009; Tate, Ellram & Kirchoff 2010; Gamerschlag, Möller & Verbeeten 2010; Bouvain & Chen 2009). No previous study has compared sustainability reports between Swedish and international companies in the same industry, the forestry industry. This research gap seeks this study to fill. The purpose of this study is to investigate the similarities and differences that exist between Swedish and international forestry companies sustainability reporting to see how the institutional mechanisms govern over geographical boundaries. The study also seeks to answer whether the forestry companies environmental sustainability indicators mimic each other as a result of their common industry affiliation in order to see the institutional mechanisms role in the industry.  Method: The study is based on the positivist research philosophy with hypotheses that are answered with a deductive line. The research strategy is a quantitative content analysis with focus on replicability. The study follows a cross-cultural design in the data collection. The data are analyzed using descriptive statistics.  Conclusion: The study's first research question showed that there are mainly differences in the sustainability reporting between the Swedish and international forestry companies. The study's second research question did not provide an equally clear answer where companies mimicked each other in the industry on certain aspects but others not. In addition to the research questions the authors concluded that country affiliation may outweigh industry from a theoretical perspective. Contribution: The study makes a practical contribution to companies in the industry that can use the information to compare their sustainability reporting with others to remain competitive. Previous research by Aras and Crowther (2009) has shown that the degree of sustainability reporting provides commercial advantages in the market. The information is also useful for companies to attract investors as a study by Braam and Peeters (2018) showed that the demand for sustainability reporting from these have increased. By studying an unexplored area, the study created a theoretical contribution when a research gap was filled. The study showed differences in sustainability reporting between Sweden and internationally and that the industry to some extent mimics each other, but that the variable country affiliation may weigh heavier than the variable industry from a theoretical perspective. Further research: It would be interesting to study GRI's social and economic sustainability indicators in a similar study as this paper only focused on the environmental indicators. Also to review sustainability reports over a longer time period to see changes in the reporting and to study an environmentally hazardous industry to see similarities and differences with the environmentally important forestry industry.

This essay aims to investigate the meaning of masculinity norms within the forestry sector in Sweden, and how these norms affect the gender equality within the industry. A qualitative research method was applied to highlight and investigate the research aim and questions. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted and furthermore analyzed with a discursive analysis method and a gender theoretical perspective. This study is a continuation of and has its starting point, where the project Jämställdhet i skogsbranschen, implemented by Länsstyrelsen in Västernorrland and other actors, left off. The fourth aim of that project became an object of focus for us and this essay as a whole. The results of this study implied that there are several masculinity norms within the Swedish forestry sector and that the norms influence both men and women. A hegemonic masculinity within the industry became apparent that affected women as well as men. Finally, the gender equality work within the sector could be affected by masculinity norms, that could be considered to prohibit existing and ongoing gender equality work.

This research, done as part of the mechanical engineering program at Linnaeus University in partnership with Rottne Industri AB, aims to improve safety in forest industri. It focuses on designing a user-friendly emergency exit system for harvester cabins. Driven by strict safety rules and societal expectations, the goal is to craft an exit that allows quick evacuation during emergencies and fits well with forest machinery safety standards.