The effects of businesses all over the globe on social issues like climate change have caused an increasing demand for those businesses to take responsibility for their actions. While corporate social responsibility has been concerned with such topics for a while, the more recent concept of ‘creating shared value’ aims to have a more justified approach in a way that it provides economic value for the implementing company while also targeting social issues simultaneously. Still, specific tools helping companies to implement initiatives that create shared value are missing.Multinational large-fleet operators, such as logistics companies or car rental services, are considered to contribute a significant share to the earlier mentioned social issue of climate change. With the rising adoption of electric vehicles by such large-fleet operators, the concept of Vehicle-to-Grid is identified as a way for multinational large-fleet operators to create shared value. Vehicle-to-Grid is a technology that promises to help increase the utilisation of renewable energy sources, thereby helping to tackle climate change. Since the concepts of creating shared value and Vehicle-to-Grid have not been combined so far, a research gap was identified. Therefore, this research aims to answer the questions of how Vehicle-to-Grid can create shared value for multinational large-fleet operators and how expected results of that implementation can be measured for the implementing company, society and other considered stakeholders.Empirical data is collected by qualitatively interviewing organisations that have been involved in Vehicle-to-Grid related projects and is analysed with the help of a conceptual framework that the authors developed. The conclusion of this study closes the identified research gap and contributes to the theory of how shared value initiatives can be implemented. The research suggests that for multinational large-fleet operators, shared value creation by implementing Vehicle-to-Grid could be achieved by redefining productivity in the value chain and enable local cluster development. Additionally, the research gives implications on how progress for all considered parties can be measured and suggests managerial and policy implications that would help to define Vehicle-to-Grid business cases in the future.

Micro-property developers are social entrepreneurs operating in townships and offer high quality rental units that upholds the dignity of community members. Although they are making a valuable contribution they are also faced with many challenges and the biggest being access to funds. This study looks at how impact investing, an emerging funding model can be used to address this challenge. Impact investing can be described as a cross-sectional initiative that involves the professional participation of various stakeholders; to drive social entrepreneurship to a level which can drive the socio-economic impact within communities, to create a social good that optimises financial, social and environmental returns ( Annual Impact Investor Survey, 2019). This research study seeks to explore and understand collaboration strategies that can be employed by micro-property developers in the context of South African townships. This study investigates how micro-property developers, through institutional systems and a multi-stakeholder approach can collaborate with impact investors by applying the concept of collective impact effort in township areas. Further on, this study highlights the importance of impact investing and unpacks the successes and challenges in township areas by illuminating how risk-taking, organisational values and funding contribute to corporate considerations in generating measurable, social and environment impact combined with financial return. Through relevant literature consulted and the use of in-depth interviews this study adopted a qualitative research methodology. Research participants included micro-property developers, impact investors and intermediaries. The research findings indicate that in the corporate ambit of social entrepreneurship and impact investing; variables such as income, risks, impact measurement, the situated area of human settlement and investor readiness are key considerations in the successful acquisition of funding opportunities. In addition, although impact investment in township areas is still an untapped market in South Africa, community leadership and partners should equally advocate the need of inclusion and innovation to steer sustainable impact investment opportunities in such communities. This study suggests that impact investors and funders should work toward cross-sectional initiatives that are scalable and inclusive, and that can create a positive impact in township communities. This study also recommends that a level of deeper knowledge is required through informed research, to understand the value and the impact of impact investments in township areas. This way, scientific data can override all stereotypical notions linked to township investments, as stigmas of crime and risks still hinder investment opportunities in townships compared to their urban counterparts.

Social sustainability is one of the three dimensions that make up sustainable development. The social dimension has for long been seen as the weakest and has often been ignored in favour of the economic and ecological dimension. The importance of the social dimension is getting more recognition both by the private and the public sector and as a result of external pressures, companies have started to work with their social responsibility to strengthen their competitiveness on the market. From this way of working, the concept of creating shared value has been introduced by professor Michael E. Porter and lecturer Mark R. Kramer who suggests that companies can create economic value by creating societal value and thereby create shared value. They argue that companies can, by addressing a social issue and using their power, create shared values in our society. Employment requirements in public procurement is one way of addressing the social sustainability in the society and together with the prevailing construction boom and the shortage of manpower, companies must look for new places to recruit. Hence, the purpose of this descriptive research is to contribute with knowledge on how employment requirements are used in Sweden and study the development of the concept creating shared value. Additionally, it is investigated if employment requirements in public procurements can be used to create shared value. Two examples of varied character serve the basis of the empirics. The theory of creating shared value originates, as mentioned earlier, from creating social value and thereby creating economic value which, in turn, creates shared value. The study shows that, even though Porter and Kramer’s theory of creating shared value might not be fully applicable in public procurement, employment requirements can be a way of creating shared value in the society. Through collaboration between the private and the public sector, social issues such as unemployment, can be addressed and mitigated. / Social hållbarhet är en av tre dimensioner som utgör hållbar utveckling. Den sociala dimensionen har länge setts som den svagaste och har ofta ignorerats till förmån för den ekonomiska och ekologiska dimensionen. Betydelsen av den sociala dimensionen börjar uppmärksammas alltmer, både av den privata och offentliga sektorn och som ett resultat av yttre påtryckningar har företag börjat arbeta med sitt sociala ansvar för att därigenom stärka sin konkurrenskraft på marknaden. Från detta arbetssätt har konceptet creating shared value introducerats av professor Michael E. Porter och föreläsaren Mark R. Kramer som menar att företagen kan skapa ekonomiskt värde genom att skapa ett socialt värde vilket tillsammans i sin tur resulterar i ett delat värde. De menar att företag, genom att adressera ett socialt problem och använda sin makt, kan bidra till att skapa ett delat värde i samhället. Sysselsättningskrav i offentliga upphandlingar är ett sätt på vilket den sociala hållbarheten i samhället kan adresseras och tillsammans med den rådande högkonjunkturen i byggbranschen och byggföretagens personalbrist måste de se till alternativa platser för rekrytering. Därför har syftet med denna beskrivande uppsats varit att utöka kunskapen om hur sysselsättningskrav används och studera utvecklingen av konceptet creating shared value. Dessutom har det undersökts om sysselsättningskrav i offentliga upphandlingar kan skapa delat värde. Två exempel av varierande karaktär ligger således till grund för den empiriska inhämtningen. Teorin om att skapa delat värde utgår, som tidigare nämnt, från att skapa socialt värde och därigenom ekonomiskt värde vilket i sin tur skapar delat värde. Studien visar att även om Porter och Kramers teori om värdeskapande inte är helt applicerbart i offentlig upphandling, kan sysselsättningskrav vara ett sätt att skapa detta. Genom samarbete mellan den privata och offentliga sektorn kan sociala problem såsom arbetslöshet, adresseras och minskas.

Titel: Gemensamt värdeskapande i praktiken Författare: Lydia Frykman och Johanna Wennerström Handledare: Rasmus Nyqvist Bakgrund: I dagens samhälle är utmaningarna inom hållbarhet högst väsentliga, till följd av att företag inte tar sitt fulla ekonomiska, ekologiska och sociala samhällsansvar. CSV har som ett resultat av detta blivit alltmer uppmärksammat då konceptet belyser företagens roll i att driva hållbarhetsutvecklingen framåt. Det saknas däremot empiriskt underlag som visar hur företag kan arbeta för att uppnå gemensamt värdeskapande i praktiken, samt hur den komplexa avvägningen mellan företagsnytta och samhällsnytta ska gå till. Därför undersöker denna kvalitativa studie värdeskapande aktiviteter samt avvägningen mellan företagsnytta och samhällsnytta. Syfte: Syftet är att bidra med en ökad förståelse för de aktiviteter som skapar gemensamt värde, vad som krävs för att företagen ska motiveras till dessa aktiviteter samt för hur företag hanterar den komplexa avvägningen mellan företagsnytta och samhällsnytta. Metod: Denna kvalitativa studie utgår från ett hermeneutiskt perspektiv, har en tvärsnittsdesign och en abduktiv forskningsansats. Det empiriska underlaget samlades in genom två studier, som bestod av semistrukturerade intervjuer med företagsrespondenter och experter inom ämnet. Slutsats: Resultaten från studien tyder på att företagen utövar CSV-aktiviteter i olika utsträckning, men att en stor utmaning är att identifiera när det är ekonomiskt rationellt att uppnå ett gemensamt värde. Vidare har studien klargjort att det finns flera drivkrafter till att uppnå gemensamt värdeskapande. Däremot behöver dagens lagkrav ytterligare förtydligande och förbättring, för att företagen ska agera mer osjälviskt. Studien lyfter avvägningen mellan företagsnytta och samhällsnytta och det framgår att det är denna del som är mest väsentlig i diskussionen om hur företag kan uppnå gemensamt värdeskapande. Slutligen har företagens utvecklingsriktning visat att det har adderats en intention om att göra gott för samhället, men faktumet att den ekonomiska faktorn väger tyngst kvarstår. / Title: Creating Shared Value In PracticeAuthors: Lydia Frykman and Johanna Wennerström Supervisor: Rasmus Nyqvist Background: In today's society, the challenges connected to sustainability are highly significant, as a result of companies not fully taking their economic, environmental and social responsibility. As a result, CSV has received increased attention as the concept highlights companies’ role in driving sustainability forward. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence showing how companies can work to achieve shared value in practice, as well as displaying how the complex trade-off between economic and social value creation should be handled. Therefore, this qualitative study examines value- creating activities and the trade-off between economic and social value creation. Purpose: The aim of the study is to contribute to an increased understanding of the activities that create shared value, what it is that motivates the companies to these activities and for how companies manage the complex trade-off between economic and social value creation. Methodology: This qualitative study is from a hermeneutic perspective, has a cross- sectional study design and an abductive research approach. The empirical evidence was collected through two studies, which consisted of semi-structured interviews with respondents from practice and experts within the field. Conclusion: The results of the study displays that companies practice CSV activities, however it ́s explained that it's hard to determine when it's economically rational to achieve shared value and not. Additionally, the study has clarified several driving forces to achieve shared value. Although, it ́s declared that today's legal regulations need further clarification, in order for companies to act more selflessly. Furthermore, the study highlights the trade-off between economic and social value creation and it appears from the results that this ́s the most essential part in the discussion of how companies can achieve shared value. Finally, the companies’ development has shown that an intention to do good for the society has been added, however, the fact that the economic aspect weighs the most still remains.

Denna uppsats undersöker värdet av att inkludera hållbarhet och ESG i en due diligence-process inom kontexten för internationella företagsförvärv. Ett konsultperspektiv tillämpades på grund av externa rådgivares vidsträcka erfarenhet och insyn i denna relativt nya process. Analysen har utgått från två kompletterande perspektiv på värdeskapande, Gemensamt värdeskapande och Stakeholder Value Creation Model med rötter inom Intressentmodellen. Genom kvalitativ metod och semi-strukturerade intervjuer med konsulter med hållbarhetsprofil har perspektiv kring värdeskapande i samband med ESG due diligence framkommit. Analysen visar att potential för värdeskapande på längre sikt finns men att det kortsiktiga värdeskapandet är begränsat. Mindre fördelaktiga ESG-resultat hos målföretaget kan översättas till värdeskapande möjligheter. / This essay examines the value of incorporating sustainability and ESG factors in a due diligence process within the context of international acquisitions. A consulting perspective was applied due to external advisors'  extensive experience and insight into this relatively new process. The analysis has been based in two complementary perspectives on value creation, Shared Value Creation, and the Stakeholder Value Creation Model rooted in the Stakeholder Model. Through qualitative methods and semi-structured interviews with consultants specializing in sustainability, perspectives on value creation related to ESG due diligence have emerged. This analysis indicates that there is potential for long-term value creation, but short term value creation is limited. Less favorable ESG outcomes in the target company can be translated into value creation opportunities.

Yes / Corporations in the 21st play a decisive role in the future of society. Their power and influence in world affairs often seems devoid of ethics and seems to exceed the reach and the means of many nations. As a result, the strategic positions they take towards value creation and ethics affects every individual on the planet. This paper explores strategic routes that organisations could apply to facilitate economic growth while ensuring their ecological integrity and ensuring social enhancement generating benefits to a wider scope of organisational stakeholders. By conducting a critical analysis and clarifying common misconceptions between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Creating Shared Value (CSV) and Sustainability, it is possible to determine how these interrelated strategic approaches have evolved. This article argues the importance of transforming the purpose of organisations to encapsulate stakeholder value creation as the main reason for their existence.

由於環保意識抬頭及商界和社會之間日益惡化的情況下，企業正在努力尋找新的商業模式來重塑資本主義。麥可·波特主張創造共享價值，試圖找尋新一波創新的商業模式來重塑資本主義。共享價值模式能夠為企業和社會創造財富，因此為越來越多的企業紛紛加入創造共享價值的行列。 本論文主要使用個案分析法和次級資料分析法進行研究。研究係透過了解利害相關人對於智慧電網的態度，以及解析智慧電網產業價值鏈來分辨共享價值之所在。透過對於智慧電網相關的研究，以及共享價值的學術文獻來建立研究架構。同時也蒐集了IBM公司以及智慧電網相關產業的動態訊息支持研究分析。其目的是要找出IBM公司的商業模式是否符共享價值模型之定義。研究彙整了智慧電網的利害相關人的意見，並且進行IBM所提供智慧電網方案與共享價值的關聯性分析。然後建議IBM對於創造共享價值可能的發展方向與模式。 研究結果發現IBM提供的智慧電網方案與創造共享價值其實是有關聯性的。然而，大部分的價值是透過與產業鏈結合而間接被創造出來的。在智慧電網方面，IBM並無法獨立創造出共享價值。因而提出了在面對利害關係人時，需要清楚辨認誰是最主要的影響者。透過連鎖效應的方式使得智慧電網能夠更符合創造共享價值。 另外，由於智慧電網應用技術的複雜性使得本研究的力度受到限制。 / Due to the rise of environmental awareness and the worsening situations between the business community and society, corporations are trying to find a way to reinvent capitalism. Michael E. Porter advocates that Creating Shared Value might be the answer for how business will able to reinvent capitalism and unleash the next wave of business and innovation. More and more corporations have jumped on the CSV bandwagon to create wealth for both the business and the society. Case analysis and secondary data analysis techniques are employed in this paper as the research method, through analyzing the stakeholders that are in the smart grid landscape. Academic literature, research papers, publications and information from relevant websites are used to support the analysis. The purpose is to find out whether IBM Company’s business model is in accordance with the shared value model by analyzing the opinions of stakeholders of smart grid and the proposes values of IBM’s smart grid solutions. The results are that most of the solutions that IBM has for smart grid are somehow relevant to the concept of CSV. However, most of the values proposed are rather indirect　as they are often created through collaborating with other players in the value chain. IBM alone would not be able to create a shared value model of its own. Therefore, suggestion has been made to emphasize on the importance of clearly identifying who has the biggest influence among stakeholders. Through chain effect between the stakeholders to enhance Smart Grid to become a more distinct shared value model. Also, due to the complexity of technologies involved in smart grid, the research has many limitations.

Background: The "introduction of new public management" in institutions of higher education has brought a measurement-minded form of governance based on "doing more with less". At the same time, universities have increasingly become institutions where documentation proving the conformation to norms of society is more important than the actual outcomes of the organization. A more viable strategic mind set based on the core goals of higher education is therefore required in order to increase the congruence between stated goals and outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore how the demographics in boards and top management teams in higher education affect performance through the mediating role of cluster development. Method: This thesis has an abductive research approach as we emanate not only from previous theoretical discussions on public governance, upper echelon and cluster development, but also from a qualitative pilot study where we explore the cluster development concept in the university context. Our quantitative study is a cross-sectional study based on partly a survey sent to most directors and managers in higher education in Sweden, and partly independent data collection from financial reports and other sources. Results and conclusion: The results are based on a small sample with few observations which imply that we cannot draw strong conclusions based on our statistical findings. We can however discern different indications of relationships between certain demographic diversity factors in boards and top management teams and certain aspects of cluster development. There are however mixed indications regarding the relationship between cluster development and university performance. / Bakgrund: Införandet av new public management i universitet och högskolor har fört med sig ett mätningsfokuserat styre som bygger på "att göra mer med mindre". Samtidigt har lärosätena allt mer blivit institutioner där dokumentation som styrker samhällets krav är viktigare än det faktiska utfallet i organisationen. En mer livskraftig strategisk utveckling som baseras på de verkliga målen för högre utbildning krävs därför för att öka kongruensen mellan uppsatta mål och utfall. Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur demografiska egenskaper i styrelser och ledningsgrupper inom universitet och högskolor påverkar prestation genom klusterutveckling. Metod: Denna uppsats har en abduktiv forskningsansats eftersom vi inte endast utgår ifrån tidigare teoretiska diskussioner om offentlig styrning, upper echelon och klusterutveckling, men också från en kvalitativ förstudie där vi utforskar klusterutveckling i universitetssammanhang. Vår kvantitativa studie är en tvärsnittsstudie baserad på dels en enkät som skickats till de flesta styrelseledamöter och medlemmar i ledningsgrupper i alla svenska universitet och högskolor i Sverige. Den är även dels baserad på självständig datainsamling från årsredovisningar och andra källor. Resultat och slutsats: Resultaten baserar sig på ett litet urval med få iakttagelser vilket innebär att vi inte kan dra säkra slutsatser utifrån våra statistiska analyser. Vi kan dock urskilja olika indikationer på samband mellan vissa demografiska mångfaldsfaktorer i styrelser och ledningsgrupper och vissa aspekter av klusterutveckling. Det finns dock blandade resultat om förhållandet mellan klusterutveckling och universitetens och högskolornas prestation.

軟權力等同一國之「吸引力」，Joseph S. Nye, Jr.解釋這種吸引力作為無形的概念，當雙方共用「共通價值」或責任義務，並使他方支持或願意為這些價值努力時，則謂軟權力發揮了作用。Nye更進一步談到，一國外交政策可透過合法性（legitimacy）與道德權威（moral authority）來展現軟權力，合法性意指為制度，而道德權威為一國外交手段與風格予以人的觀感。本文以Nye提出的軟權力定義，並從外交政策的角度研究冷戰後中國對東協如何運用軟權力、其目的為何、細節性的實踐內涵、以及中國軟權力得到怎樣的回饋與效果。 事實上，中國對軟權力的定義受到冷戰時期與東協交往經驗影響，與Nye的定義有所出入。中國認為即使拉攏東協的手段多偏向物質性的貿易投資、金援等合作方式，但是「互利」既為中國與東協雙方皆提倡的「共通價值」，則今日東協的民調或官員呈現的好感，亦可謂中國對東協運用之軟權力發生了作用。尤其中國在冷戰後江澤民、胡錦濤兩位領導人對東協積極提倡「新安全觀」、「和諧世界」等政策，呈現了中國展現其軟權力以追求崛起目標的戰略意圖，並且在國際組織的參與、國際法與聯合聲明的簽訂、公共與公民外交、東亞金融風暴等東協政經危機應對上給予東協即時的支持與協助，令東協與中國於冷戰後呈現未曾的友好關係，中國對東協運用軟權力其努力與成果可見一般。 然而中國對東協這樣仍深度建立在物質往來的軟權力，其未來發展亦受到本文從Nye提出無形的軟權力觀點進行檢視。本文提出中國軟權力應摒棄軟權力全然建立在硬權力之上的謬思，加強與東協的理念對話，並進一步發展一套能為國際社會廣泛認同之政治價值或規範，以此中國對東協軟權力或中國整體的軟權力才有化停滯為前進的動力。 / Soft Power is an attractive power of one state. Joseph S. Nye, Jr. explains the attraction as an invisible concept which makes both sides enjoy the “shared value,” and push one party to go along with the other’s purpose, then, the soft power is functional. Moreover, soft power can perform through its benign foreign policies when they seen as legitimate and having moral authority. Legitimacy means the institutions, and moral authority indicates the impression stirred by the tactics or the styles of foreign policies. This study adopts Nye’s soft power hypothesis as a framework to research the way China operates its soft power toward ASEAN, and the ultimate goal and effects it hopes to reach. In fact, China’s soft power is affected by the experiences engaging with ASEAN during the Cold War. China manipulates its practical trades, functional aids, and investments, and it also uses the mutual benefits as a token to form the “shared value” with ASEAN, that time, the soft power works automatically. Still other relevant evidences present as announcement from China’s leaders toward ASEAN, memberships in international organizations, obedience to international laws, aids on public and civil diplomacy, and well-known help to 1997 East Asia financial storm, etc. All of these proper supports lead to ASEAN’s appreciation, and reflect china’s soft power has gained the harvest. Even though China’s soft power toward ASEAN makes its own sense by now, in the long run, China’s soft power may sap due to its deviation from Nye’s definition. This study concludes that China should banish the fallacy which soft power completely roots in the foundation of hard power, and should improve the communication with ASEAN, then should develop its universal political values confirmed by the international society at last. Only in that approach can transform its soft power into a whole new tool, and can step forward to the next era.

This study aims to advance the understanding of Digital Opportunity Trust’s (DOT) value proposition by characterizing the ‘modus operandi’ and to develop a method to explore the impact of entrepreneurship in the developing (or under-developed) regions of the world undertaken by Digital Opportunity Trust. DOT is an initiative to help reduce poverty, and to achieve greater social and economic stability by empowering people with skills and knowledge by utilizing new technologies in their communities. Prior research suggests the adaptation of ‘Information and Communication Technology’(ICT) and technological advancement as a means of addressing 500 million people worldwide, those residing at the ‘bottom of the pyramid’ (Prahalad, 2005) for an effective social transformation. “Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT)” is one of the not-for-profit (NFP) / non-governmental organizations (NGO), which strives to accomplish this goal by blending ‘entrepreneurial’ education with ‘corporate social responsibility’ to foster new ventures that use digital communications technology. DOT is operating in eleven (11) countries for more than eight (8) years now, rendering it important to validate and evaluate the extent to which Information and Communication Technology ICT allows people in poor communities to exchange knowledge, and to compete with new enterprise. Personal interviews (Case Study Methodology) with DOT’s executives, staff, interns and contractors were arranged to gather insightful information and to characterize the value proposition. The aim is to gather estimates of achievement for each of the defining attributes (‘as things are’ to reflect present achievement and ‘as things could be’ to reflect how far the attribute might be ‘pushed’). While it must be the responsibility of DOT’s leaders to articulate formally its value proposition, evidence gathered in this case study points in possible directions. For example, DOT’s value proposition is based on a humanitarian goal and a win-win situation that benefits the people of underdeveloped regions as well as DOT itself. DOT does not merely advance monetary aid to the poor regions of the world; rather it creates a model of economical sustainability. It empowers people by imparting technical prowess and training to them. This not only keeps them abreast of the whole world, but also helps improve their quality of life. DOT provides technological initiatives and programs in developing areas, while adhering effectively to accountability structure. Multinational companies and not-for-profit organizations can gain useful and practical knowledge from DOT’s experience. DOT brings an edge to entrepreneurship by advocating productivity and skill, especially in technological fields. The poor man’s plight turns into a healthy, industrious skill. An emerging paradigm for creating shared value suggests that this is precisely the model worldwide corporations should invest in and apply in these ever-challenging economic times.