Purpose The purpose of our study is to contribute to an understanding of the role of storytelling when increasing ethical competence. The research is related to a multicultural context and from the perspective of leaders with experience of organizational change. Method In order to get closer to our phenomenon, this study applies a deductive approach. The empirial data was contructed by semi-structured interviews with eight leaders. Based on the theory, we have developed eight different propositions on which the interview questions are based. Further on, the empirical data was analyzed with a thematic approach.  Conclusions Our conclusion shows there are different motives for using storytelling among leaders and that it is used on a daily basis, both consciously and unconsciously. Leaders find it easier to communicate and relate to ethical perspectives by placing them in a context through stories. By integrating storytelling in intercultural dialogues, it can increase ethical competence.

This study takes as a starting point that climate change must be seen as interrelated with other social, technological, political, and ecological challenges of our times, and that it is closely linked to the local arena of policy and planning. By this, the study is guided by the notion that sustainability transitions are needed to combat climate change. The aim of this study is to explore if and how local carbon budgets can be a tool for municipal governance in facilitating sustainability transitions. Through an analysis of narratives of change and modes of governing, the aim is pursued by studying how the local carbon budgets developed at the Climate Change Leadership node at Uppsala University approaches a framework for transition, and how these local carbon budgets have been received by municipal planning and policy actors in two case studies: Nyköping and Järfälla municipality. The study uses a qualitative case study approach with semi-structured interviews, document analysis and participatory observation as its methods. From the results and analysis, three narratives of change emerged: Tweak the system, Re-invent the system, and Shake the system. The three narratives suggest different pathways for sustainability transitions, as well as different approaches to local governance. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the local carbon budgets can be several different tools for sustainability transitions, and what kind of tool it becomes is dependent on what narratives of change and approach to local governance that shapes it. Finally, the study highlights the importance of using local carbon budgets to their full potential, allowing them to question, challenge and reimage what kind of change is needed and how it can come about, if more transformative sustainability transitions are to be reached.

It is well established that rural regional Australians have borne the brunt of globalization in terms of the adverse impacts caused by social and economic restructuring resulting from global, national and local forces. In response governments and communities have embraced sustainability and civil society for promoting local community action and responsibility for social, economic and environmental issues. This research focuses on community narratives about the social change processes as they engage the forces of neo-liberal policies. Applying a qualitative, grounded theoretical approach to data collection and analysis this study also adopts a multi-perspective, multi-disciplinary framework to gain more holistic, contextual understandings of community functioning and change. In echoing the principles of community psychology, the foundational, multidisciplinary concepts of sense of community, social capital, civil society, empowerment and conscientization have informed understandings of this communitys process and outcome towards transformational change. This study offers a critical reflection of transformational change in an effort to promote more peaceful, collaborate relationships between dominant and oppressed groups in expanding our understandings and solutions for community change. Identified by Newbrough (1992, 1995) as the Third Force Position, the ideals of political community are visibly expressed as they attempt to pursue transformational change towards a just and sustainable future for the community. However, while civil society has made a positive contribution, also apparent are the processes and outcomes which affect those most vulnerable. Those most powerless continue to suffer from exclusion, marginalization and as a result are denied access to vital resources to meet their needs.