The role firms should play in the fight against depletion of natural resources and the shortcomings of their actions that affect people occupy a central position in the public debate. This paper argues that every firm, whatever its size, industry or country of origin can and should integrate the environment and society as a whole in their decisions and in turn, use business as a source for good. In this paper, I first take a snapshot of the debate occurring between the main actors at stake (consumers, governments and companies themselves). I then explain an existing program that intends to tackle the question of responsibility of businesses (B Corporations). Afterwards, I compare four companies (2 B Corporations, 2 non B Corporations), and analyze their actions through the 7S Model of McKinsey coupled with other relevant criteria. I conclude with the argument that firms actually benefit from taking care of the environment and of people around them. Indeed, doing so increases employees’ loyalty and responsibility, boosts firms’ awareness through a green image, appeals to the will of customers to consume responsibly and encourages those who are not decided yet to do so. Furthermore, it allows businesses to undertake a sustainable approach that will not jeopardize the resources they need to be around in the future.

In light of a stronger recognition of the need for sustainable business practices as “business as usual” no longer presents itself as a viable option, this study aims to cast light on the current work of Swedish SMEs with integrative sustainability. Within the academic field of sustainability in business, the latest years have seen the emergence of multiple frameworks that promote a holistic sustainability approach to conducting business. The single firm becomes a connecting member of an extensive stakeholder network and by operating in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable manner, the business seeks to create value for a variety of stakeholder groups, rather than focusing on monetary objectives set by shareholders. These new integrative frameworks shift the understanding of a firm from a profit-maximiser to that of a value-creator that acts sustainably to cater to the needs of all its stakeholders. However, as the models have only recently featured across academia, their real-life applicability and viability are contested, and in some ways, remains under-researched, particularly in the context of SMEs. With Sweden as a leading example in sustainability implementation, this study attempts to provide insight into how SMEs work with the elements of these frameworks and which opportunities and challenges they encounter during implementation. Through conducting detailed, qualitative and personal semi-structured interviews with the CEOs of six sustainability-minded Swedish SMEs of different industrial backgrounds, this research gauges the current organisational efforts being made in terms of sustainability and relates them to the integrative value-creating frameworks to identify congruences, divergences and room for improvement in line with latest theories. The main conclusions drawn as part of this process include the continued, at least partial, unfamiliarity of businesses with the frameworks, despite a large degree of compatibility of current practical efforts and existing academic theory. Value creation is moving closer to being included in the core of the business model, yet while absolute profit maximisation receives less attention, hesitation towards implementing sustainability more integratively is driven by concerns of losing grounds for profitability. The establishment of clusters and strong relationships leading to mutual synergies is found as a potential way to provide firms with the structural support to shift fully towards value-creation as envisioned by the investigated frameworks.

A busca por uma solução comum para os impactos ambientais decorrentes da geração e acúmulo de resíduos sólidos e a condição de exclusão socioeconômica que atinge a uma significativa fatia da população em grandes centros urbanos leva a replicação de um modelo de gestão de resíduos sólidos que tem seu ponto de interseção nas cooperativas de trabalhadores da reciclagem. Alinhado a um contexto de demandas sociais de manutenção econômica, justiça social e preservação ambiental, a gestão compartilhada de resíduos é vista não como prática assistencialista corporativa, mas como oportunidade de negócio e ganhos bilaterais de criação de valor compartilhado. Este é o tema de interesse do presente trabalho, a inclusão socioeconômica veiculada ao aproveitamento de resíduos sólidos. Para isso, desenvolve-se uma pesquisa de base empírica, fundamentada na metodologia de pesquisa-ação, com objetivo de analisar tecnicamente e gerencialmente um projeto que propõe a inclusão socioeconômica por meio do processamento da casca de coco verde. A partir da integração de uma base conceitual e informações de natureza prática obtidas no desenvolvimento do projeto acima referido, assume-se o ganho de conhecimento empírico que possa contribuir com a temática envolvendo a gestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos e a inclusão socioeconômica. A experiência mostrou que disponibilizar tecnologia e ensinar a operar os equipamentos não é suficiente para a sustentação do modelo de gestão compartilhada. É preciso oferecer suporte técnico e gerencial e entender as cooperativas de reciclagem como parte de um fluxo continuo de materiais, de informação, de dinheiro e de pessoas. Conclui-se que é preciso fomentar o desenvolvimento humano através da difusão de conhecimento, levando-o até a cooperativa, mas também permitindo que esse se difunda por ela. / The waste management model could be a solution for two problems: the environmental impacts caused by the generation and accumulation of solid wastes, and socio-economical exclusion. Therefore in a context of social and economic development and environmental preservation, waste shared management is seen not creation of as a corporative assistentialist practice, but as a business opportunity and a win-win creation of shared value. This dissertation concerns the socio-economic inclusion developed coupled with the use of the solids wastes. So an empirical research was based on action-research methodology. The socio-economic inclusion by processing green coconut fiber was analyzed at a technical and managerial point of view. By integrating of a conceptual base and practical information obtained from to project development, empirical knowledge is gained. Contribute with urban solid waste management and socio-economical inclusion. The experience has shown that supply technology and teaching to operate the equipment is not sufficient to support the shared management model. It takes technical and managerial support and understand the recycling cooperatives as part of a continuous flow of materials, information, money and people. We conclude that it is necessary to foster human development through the dissemination of knowledge, leading him to the cooperative, but also allowing that to diffuse through it.

Both corporations and their global conglomerates are looking into the face of an evolving idea of capitalism. As businesses become more intertwined with society, this special relationship is becoming increasingly deterministic of the condition of the world. This paper explores the possibility that if businesses integrate shared value -- a way to combine economic and social value -- into their long-term business plans, that not only will society be better off, but the businesses themselves may be able to explore previously unrecognized potential for profits.

Hållbarhetsfrågor är ett ämne vilket är ständigt aktuellt och aldrig varit mer aktuellt än idag. Med negativa klimatförändringar som konsekvens av mänskliga aktiviteter är det mer viktigt än någonsin att motverka detta och arbeta mot en bättre morgondag. Detta uppnås genom balanserade åtgärder av miljömässig, ekonomisk och social karaktär. Teori säger att små och medelstora tjänsteföretag bör involvera sig inom hållbarhet på en strategisk nivå, genom att inkludera hållbarhet som en del av företagets kärnverksamhet - integration av hållbarhet i företagets strategi. Denna studie studerar åtta små och medelstora tjänsteföretag i Umeå. Huruvida de integrerar hållbarhet i sin respektive företagsstrategi, samt vilka drivkrafter och utmaningar som ligger till grund för integrationen. Deltagande respondenter är anställda på företagen i chefspositioner, i vissa fall också delägare till företagen - samtliga innehar en position där de deltar i företagets strategiska arbete. Studiens tvådelade problemformulering lyder: “I vilken utsträckning integrerar svenska små och medelstora tjänsteföretag hållbarhet i sin företagsstrategi?” “Vilka drivkrafter respektive utmaningar har svenska små och medelstora tjänsteföretag till att integrera hållbarhet i sin företagsstrategi?” Resultaten visar att de studerade företagen integrerar hållbarhet i olika utsträckning. Detta har genererat tre olika kategorier för graden av integration, låg, medel och hög. Av de åtta studerade företagen innehar två företag en låg grad av integration, fyra företag kategoriseras till nivån medel och två av företagen en hög grad av integration. Vidare besvarades problemformulerings andra del genom en kartläggning av flertalet drivkrafter och utmaningar till denna integration. Fyra drivkrafter och fyra utmaningar har identifierats som de huvudsakliga faktorerna till att företagen integrerar eller inte integrerar hållbarhet i sin företagsstrategi. De fyra främsta utmaningarna till att integrera hållbarhet är; kunskap, finansiella incitament, knyta hållbarhet till kärnverksamhet och formulering & planering. Vidare identifierades följande fyra drivkrafter som de främsta; vara en god samhällsmedborgare, medarbetares välmående, företagets anseende och konkurrensfördelar. Slutsatserna presenteras i en modell för integration av hållbarhet i företagsstrategi för små och medelstora tjänsteföretag. Studien påvisar ett utrymme till att företag ska kunna integrera hållbarhet ytterligare. Detta kan leda till en högre ekonomisk lönsamhet för företaget själv och en ökad nytta för samhället.

This qualitative study contributes to the research field on legitimacy theory and creating shared value (CSV) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), regarding helping entrepreneurs and business owners better understand the journey of engaging with social and environmental issues. Recent years have seen a growing number of organisations engage in CSV, which builds on identifying societal needs and approaching these as business opportunities. A standard that purports to uphold these values and is comprised of for-profit companies committed to sustainability-related initiatives is the B Corp label. We consider B Corp certification and explore how sustainably oriented SMEs engage with their wider community in a way that fosters corporate credibility and legitimacy.  Empirical data about five SMEs organisational narratives working with CSV, implementation of social and environmental activities, and effects of B Corp certification were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with company representatives and a range of secondary data materials. Analysing the data from these five interviewed companies established them to be engaging with the notion of CSV and regard addressing societal or environmental issues as the purpose of their business. Furthermore, findings suggested that values and beliefs incorporated by the SMEs supersede the generally adopted values in society, thereby representing a paradox with legitimacy theory. As a result, these businesses aim to close the perceived legitimacy gap by trying to raise awareness and engage the public with the appropriateness of their business, thereby slowly providing citizens with a more conscious mindset.

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A busca por uma solução comum para os impactos ambientais decorrentes da geração e acúmulo de resíduos sólidos e a condição de exclusão socioeconômica que atinge a uma significativa fatia da população em grandes centros urbanos leva a replicação de um modelo de gestão de resíduos sólidos que tem seu ponto de interseção nas cooperativas de trabalhadores da reciclagem. Alinhado a um contexto de demandas sociais de manutenção econômica, justiça social e preservação ambiental, a gestão compartilhada de resíduos é vista não como prática assistencialista corporativa, mas como oportunidade de negócio e ganhos bilaterais de criação de valor compartilhado. Este é o tema de interesse do presente trabalho, a inclusão socioeconômica veiculada ao aproveitamento de resíduos sólidos. Para isso, desenvolve-se uma pesquisa de base empírica, fundamentada na metodologia de pesquisa-ação, com objetivo de analisar tecnicamente e gerencialmente um projeto que propõe a inclusão socioeconômica por meio do processamento da casca de coco verde. A partir da integração de uma base conceitual e informações de natureza prática obtidas no desenvolvimento do projeto acima referido, assume-se o ganho de conhecimento empírico que possa contribuir com a temática envolvendo a gestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos e a inclusão socioeconômica. A experiência mostrou que disponibilizar tecnologia e ensinar a operar os equipamentos não é suficiente para a sustentação do modelo de gestão compartilhada. É preciso oferecer suporte técnico e gerencial e entender as cooperativas de reciclagem como parte de um fluxo continuo de materiais, de informação, de dinheiro e de pessoas. Conclui-se que é preciso fomentar o desenvolvimento humano através da difusão de conhecimento, levando-o até a cooperativa, mas também permitindo que esse se difunda por ela. / The waste management model could be a solution for two problems: the environmental impacts caused by the generation and accumulation of solid wastes, and socio-economical exclusion. Therefore in a context of social and economic development and environmental preservation, waste shared management is seen not creation of as a corporative assistentialist practice, but as a business opportunity and a win-win creation of shared value. This dissertation concerns the socio-economic inclusion developed coupled with the use of the solids wastes. So an empirical research was based on action-research methodology. The socio-economic inclusion by processing green coconut fiber was analyzed at a technical and managerial point of view. By integrating of a conceptual base and practical information obtained from to project development, empirical knowledge is gained. Contribute with urban solid waste management and socio-economical inclusion. The experience has shown that supply technology and teaching to operate the equipment is not sufficient to support the shared management model. It takes technical and managerial support and understand the recycling cooperatives as part of a continuous flow of materials, information, money and people. We conclude that it is necessary to foster human development through the dissemination of knowledge, leading him to the cooperative, but also allowing that to diffuse through it.

The world is jeopardized by several social and environmental threats. The limited resources are being used at a rapid rate which contributes to negative effects on global warming. Along with increased poverty, human rights are being violated and labor is exploited. Therefore, sustainability is perhaps a more urgent topic than ever. CSV is proposed as an answer to these environmental and social threats, which is identified by a gap in the concept of CSR. Sweden is a leading country in terms of sustainability, and therefore the purpose is to gain knowledge on how Swedish companies work with shared value creation in their sustainable practices. This study follows an interpretive philosophy through a qualitative study, and semi-structured interviews are conducted with six companies. The empirical data is analyzed through coding where four themes are evolved. This study develops existing concepts through an inductive approach and further proposes that the companies pursue CSV by the mediating role of CSR. Sustainable innovation, innovative raw materials, and digitalization are the major contributors to shared value creation. Sustainable development goals and science-based targets are essential tools to guide companies toward a sustainable future. However, two barriers to pursuing shared value creating activities are being a small company and adapting to the local context.

For a prolonged period of time, corporations and society have been out of synergy. There are many industries that have contributed to our environmental problems, but the fashion industry has been very active in contributing to the negative climate change, particularly the value chain. There is an eminent need for change, regarding how fashion companies operate and how consumers choose to consume. Creating Shared Value has emerged in recent years, answering societal and environmental issues, but the concept is still very nebulous and a relatively new concept. Throughout this thesis, the purpose was to examine if or how Swedish fashion companies create shared value and how CSV initiatives can contribute to sustainable value chains within the Swedish fashion industry.  The qualitative research strategy has been implemented throughout the thesis. This decision was made in order to successfully create a rich primary data collection so that a deep analysis could be conducted in relation to the literature review. The results and conclusion of this thesis is that Swedish fashion companies create shared value subconsciously, some of the participating companies do it more than others. The results suggest that CSV initiatives can contribute to increasingly sustainable value chains for the various companies, but that there are also several boundaries and opportunities along the way. There is a further need of more research regarding the concept of CSV, especially in the fashion industry.