The food industry represents one of the most promising business sectors for sustainable development comprising numerous environmental, social and economic challenges. The industry is fragmented into a multitude of organizations with particular supply chains based within a complex multi-stakeholder environment. Therefore, the organizational goal of creating a sustainable supply chain is experiencing increased attention within research. Even though previous literature has assessed the diverse drivers and barriers impacting sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), the theory of stakeholder management for SSCM has so far barely been recognized. This paper aims to fill this research gap and establishes the connection between the concepts of stakeholder management and SSCM taking into consideration the implicated drivers and barriers. The assessment of prominent drivers and barriers as well as crucial stakeholder groups functions as a basis for the evaluation of possible stakeholder strategies suitable for SSCM. This research study is situated in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the German food industry. By conducting 13 semi-structured interviews with supply chain representatives this study follows a qualitative research approach. The data analysis reveals that SMEs in the German food industry face numerous obstacles in their attempt to implement sustainability within the supply chain. Moreover, it is apparent that current stakeholder strategies are insufficient in the context of supply chain sustainability. A closer network beyond business is considered the most effective strategic objective for the engagement with crucial stakeholder groups in order to enhance the drivers and reduce the impact of existing barriers. Consequently, this thesis provides a theoretical contribution by developing a deeper understanding of stakeholder management as a tool for increasing supply chain sustainability and further advances existing theory with the formation of a new analytical framework as well as the recognition of a novel stakeholder strategy.

A crescente influência que a internet tem trazido à população e às organizações do início do século XXI é, certamente, um dos fatos marcantes desta época. Por sua versatilidade e custo relativamente baixo, a internet tem se destacado como meio de comunicação nas mais diversas formas, desde um simples e-mail à transmissão de imagem e som em tempo real. Todo este desenvolvimento não seria possível (pelo menos da forma que se conhece atualmente) se a tecnologia de transmissão de dados via internet não tivesse se desenvolvido a ponto de permitir velocidades adequadas para estas aplicações. Ou seja, evidencia-se a importância da internet em banda larga. No mercado de pequenas empresas (porém, não apenas neste mercado), constata-se que ainda há uma parcela significativa de usuários de internet discada que não aderiram à banda larga. Este trabalho tem o objetivo de identificar os motivos que provocam esta resistência (as chamadas barreiras de adoção). Para tanto, foi feita uma revisão da literatura sobre qualidade em serviço (seguindo a linha de pesquisa de Parasuraman, Zeithaml e Berry) e modelos de aceitação de tecnologia (seguindo a linha de pesquisa de Davis e Venkatesh) com seus respectivos desdobramentos. Baseado nesta literatura, este estudo foi composto de três partes: i) pesquisa qualitativa com um fornecedor de banda larga, ii) pesquisa qualitativa com usuários de internet discada e iii) pesquisa quantitativa com usuários e não usuários de internet. A pesquisa qualitativa com fornecedor foi focada no modelo de lacunas de qualidade (PARASURAMAN et al., 1985 e ZEITHAML et al., 1988). Nesta etapa, foram identificados dois tipos de lacuna: controladas e não controladas. Enquanto as lacunas não controladas são consideradas pouco significativas como barreiras de adoção (podendo, no entanto, estimular o cancelamento do serviço), as lacunas controladas são barreiras bem conhecidas: preço e forma de precificação (fixo versus variável). Como as decisões do fornecedor buscam geração de valor, estas barreiras são mantidas em um nível controlado, procurando-se um equilíbrio entre volume e preço. A pesquisa qualitativa com usuário de internet discada foi focada na UTAUT (VENKATESH et al., 2003). Teve o objetivo de avaliar qualitativamente as percepções de usuários de internet discada sobre o serviço de internet banda larga, à luz das dimensões de expectativa de desempenho, expectativa de esforço, condições facilitadoras e influência social. Neta etapa, identificou-se claramente uma barreira na percepção de valor (custo/benefício) por parte dos potenciais clientes. A pesquisa quantitativa também foi focada na UTAUT, mas com algumas adaptações ao contexto. Foram identificados como fatores relevantes para diferenciar os usuários dos não usuários de banda larga: intenção de comportamento, viabilidade (construto análogo às ?condições facilitadoras? da UTAUT original) e influência social. O resultado esperado (análogo à ?expectativa de desempenho?) não foi significativo na diferenciação dos dois públicos, contrariando uma forte hipótese da UTAUT. Por fim, o fator de facilidade esperada (análogo à ?expectativa de esforço?) também apareceu como não significativo; porém, sob alguns critérios, este fator apresentou sinais de que pode diferenciar os dois públicos. / The growing influence that internet has brought to population and to organizations since the beginning of 21st. century is, certainly, one of the outstanding factors of this time. For its versatility and relatively low cost, internet has been detached as communication means in many different ways, from a simple e-mail to the transmission of image and sound on real time. All this development would not be possible (at least as it is known nowadays) if data transmission technology through internet had not have been developed enough to allow adequate speed for these applications. Thus, it is shown the importance of broadband internet. In small business market (though not only in this market), one can still find significant part of dial-up internet users that have not adopted broadband. This work has the objective of identifying the reasons that lead to this resistance (the so called adoption barriers). For such, a literature review was done about quality service (following the research line of Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry) and technology acceptance models (following the research line of Davis and Venkatesh), with its respective deployments. Based on this literature, this study was composed by three parts: i) qualitative research with a broadband provider, ii) qualitative research with dial-up internet users and iii) quantitative research with broadband users and not users. The qualitative research with provider was focused on the quality gaps model (PARASURAMAN et al., 1985 and ZEITHAML et al., 1988). At this stage, two kinds of gaps were identified: controlled and uncontrolled. While the uncontrolled gaps are considered to be lowly significant as an adoption barrier (however, possibly stimulating the canceling of the service), the controlled gaps are well known barriers: price and pricing model (fix versus variable). Since the providers decisions aim value generation, these barriers are kept at a controlled level, seeking for a balance between volume and price. The qualitative research with dial-up internet users was focused on UTAUT (VENKATESH et al., 2003). It had the objective of evaluating qualitatively the dial-up internet users? perceptions about broadband internet, under the point of view of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and social influence. At this stage, it was clearly identified a barrier of value perception (cost/benefit) by the potential clients. The quantitative research was also focused on UTAUT, but with some adaptations to its context. It was identified as relevant factor for differentiating broadband users and not users: behavior intention, viability (construct analog to the facilitating conditions) and social influence. The expected performance was not significant in differentiating the two publics, against one of UTAUT strongest hypothesis. At last, the factor expected facility (analog to effort expectancy) also appeared as not significant; though, under some criteria, this factor presented signs that it may differentiate the two publics.

Klein- und mittelständische Unternehmen (KMU) sehen immer mehr den Herausforderungen und Chancen einer nachhaltigen Produktentwicklung entgegen, da die Entwicklung und Herstellung von Produkten zwangsläufig mit Umweltaspekten verbunden sind. Eine gute Anwendung von Methoden und Werkzeugen bestimmt so mitunter über Erfolg und Misserfolg eines Produktes als auch dessen Nachhaltigkeit und ist damit zentrales Element bei der Entwicklungsarbeit. Somit bestimmt eine dauerhafte Integration von Werkzeugen eine langfristige Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Unternehmen. Da die geringeren Kapazitäten und Rahmenbedingungen von KMUs jedoch eine Barriere bei der Integration von Methoden und Werkzeugen darstellt, wird ein Ansatz beleuchtet, der mit Zuhilfenahme von Filtern bei der passenden Auswahl von Methoden und Werkzeugen Unterstützung bietet. Es werden Hemmschwellen und Erfolgsfaktoren bei der Anwendung von Methoden und Werkzeugen beleuchtet und ein möglicher Prozess skizziert, um die Integration zu fördern, die Mitarbeiter des Unternehmens zu schulen und langfristig die Anwendung von Methoden und Werkzeugen zur nachhaltigen Produktentwicklung in KMUs zu implementieren.

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Background: Blockchain is a technological innovation, and its benefits such as decentralized transactions without a trusted third party, improvements in traceability and efficiency can potentially facilitate complex challenges faced by supply chains (Hughes et al., 2019; Saberi et al., 2019). However, solutions are rather in a demonstration stage, which raises the question of what barriers prevent organizations from adopting blockchain (Kouhizadeh et al., 2021). Especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) have been neglected in blockchain adoption studies (Wong et al., 2020). However, research recognizes that they should be considered separately because of their specific needs (Chouki et al., 2020). Moreover, the pre-decision stage of the adoption is of interest, as blockchain applications for the supply chain are still in a pilot phase (Y. Wang, Singgih, et al., 2019). Research Question: What barriers do SMEs face during the pre-decision stage of blockchain adoption for supply chain? Theoretical Framework: A framework developed by Kouhizadeh et al. (2021) containing barriers that impede blockchain adoption for supply chains is contextualized in the pre-decision phase and focused on SMEs. Methodology and Data Collection: This thesis follows a qualitative, deductive approach. An exploratory single case study was conducted to collect data through semi-structured interviews. This sheds light on the blockchain adoption from the perspective of a Swedish SME in the pre-decision stage that intends to use blockchain for sustainable water management in an agricultural supply chain. Complementary to this, blockchain experts are interviewed to enrich companies' responses that cannot fully illuminate the barriers due to their limited knowledge. Findings: Supply chain barriers emerged as the most important, especially 'SC2- Problems in collaboration, communication, and coordination in the supply chain', and 'SC1- Lack of customers' awareness and tendency about sustainability and blockchain technology'. Furthermore, four characteristics were identified that significantly influence the perception of the barriers in the setting studied: The proactive commitment to adopting blockchain, the affinity and attitude toward information technology (IT), trust, and financial support. Conclusions: Several managerial and theoretical implications result from the study, as well as suggestions for further research. These include that SMEs and consultants should consider the characteristics that influence perceptions of barriers in order to prioritize the barriers, and also in research they should be more emphasized to enhance transferability of blockchain adoption research. Limitations include that the case study was conducted on a single SME in Sweden, therefore a validation of the results in other SMEs would be beneficial. In addition, a longitudinal study could shed light on how the barriers change during the adoption process, and further research could reveal the strategies that SMEs use to overcome the barriers.

The intention of this thesis is a strategy suggestion and a work out of a plan for small distributional company to enable it to keep its trade position, its competitiveness and that it would show sustainable development.

Background: Existing literature implies research about Sustainability reporting and SMEs to be limited. SMEs are more vulnerable to economic pressure which may result in enhanced challenges in integrating sustainability practice. Because of SMEs’ vulnerability to financial pressures, and the law’s burden, the Swedish government, has excluded them from the law of sustainability reporting. Despite being excluded from the law, some SMEs are communicating on sustainability anyway, and the literature suggests that indirect forces could influence the strategies of sustainability performance.   Purpose: This thesis aims to explore the underlying rationale of why SMEs in Sweden communicate on their sustainability performance, through a lens of stakeholder engagement.   Method: The study is built upon enterprise occurrence, where four SMEs based in the Jönköping region has been interviewed with open- and semi-structured questions. The study follows an interpretivism approach with an exploratory nature of discovering the topic of SME and sustainability communication.   Conclusion: This study has shown that the answer to why SMEs communicate on their sustainability performance is rather complex as it is hidden behind enterprise’s unique institutional structures with internal and external influences that shape decisions and attitudes. Throughout this study, it has been recognised that SMEs’ sustainability communication is performed beyond legal borders due to various reasons, and in particular the following; pressure from surrounding institutional structures; stakeholder relationships; and visions based on personal values and strong organisational core beliefs.

Because of an increased Globalisation, it is no longer a question whether or not to operate on an international level. Globalisation refers to the fact that companies do not only compete with local companies; they also compete with companies that invade the domestic market. The international participation establishes a coercion to deliver a competitive international marketing. Guidelines for Internationalisation and international marketing have been done on the basis of the premise of big companies. Hence, when it comes to small and medium-sized B2B companies this thesis contributes with additional information.   The purpose is to explore how small and medium- sized B2B companies market themselves in an international context. Understanding how these companies have come as far as they have come, how these companies perform on the international market and how they act to reach new markets. This has been explored through literature revolved around major steps in internationalisation and standardisation or adaptation of the marketing mix in the context of SME and B2B.     The study is based on three case studies of three Swedish international small and medium-sized B2B companies. The research approach was abductive, and the empirical collection was of qualitative form. The empirical material was collected through in-depth semi structured interviews with knowledgeable representatives from international small and medium-sized B2B companies. The interviews were complemented with secondary data.   Findings reveal that even though the three companies are in stage three in their internationalisation, there are differences in regard to how active they are internationally. Regarding how the companies internationalises, these companies internationalised because of a demand abroad or the benefit of increase profit. These companies mainly used waterfall approach and entered countries one by one with the exception of one company who used sprinkler approach. Also, these companies entered countries that are similar and close compared to the domestic country Sweden. Furthermore, these companies entered a market through Direct Export in forms of subsidiaries and own or locally agents. Furthermore, insights in standardisation and adaptation of the marketing mix were revealed, where product and place were adapted by all companies. Price and promotion were adapted in two out of three companies and standardised in one company. Connected to the context of the study, being a small and medium-sized company was not a crucial limitation for the companies’ internationalisation. Additionally, regarding the context of B2B, quality & design, Long-term customers & Word of Mouth showed to be the most important key factors for B2B companies that operate internationally.

Improved use of resources is of enormously high relevance and crucial for achieving as well as maintaining a sustainable condition. Especially industrial production has a superior responsibility in creating a long-term viable way of living. However, there is a lack of systematic evaluation procedures for operational resources in production systems, meaning product material, energy, equipment and humans. Especially small and medium-sized enterprises, representing the largest number of all companies in Europe, are mostly not able to deal with these kinds of issues in addition to their daily business. The purpose of this licentiate thesis is the investigation for and development of an evaluation approach for resource efficiency and effectiveness in small and medium-sized enterprises. Two literature reviews and one industrial case study have been carried out. To start with, the first  literature  review  founds a theoretical  basis  for  the meaning of resource efficiency and effectiveness. The second literature review investigates latest measures and approaches for production system evaluation. In the next step an evaluation approach for resource efficiency and effectiveness evaluation in small and medium-sized enterprises is developed and tested within a single case study. The result consists of a comprehensive approach for small and medium-sized enterprises with focus on economic short-term and long-term improvements. / <p>QC 20140416</p>

The Covid19-pandemic may have impacted the environmental strategies of firms as it has had a major impact on the world economy and businesses. In particular Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) as during prolonged economic downturns they suffer disproportionately which could be due to lack of key resources which bigger firms naturally have more of, such as access to bank loans, technological, managerial, and human resources. Nevertheless, the Covid19-pandemic does not make the current environmental crises any less important therefore it is imperative to explore how firms’ environmental strategies have adapted during this time. The purpose of this study was to examine what happens to environmental strategies when firms experience harsher financial conditions. This have led us to construct the following research question:“How do SMEs adjust their environmental strategies during crises?”In this paper we answer the research question by analyzing the effect Covid19 has had on the environmental strategies of Swedish SMEs’ environmental strategies during Covid19. In order to achieve the purpose of this study we performed a qualitative study with an exploratory approach by interviewing seven different Swedish SMEs within the construction industry. The key findings this our study produced was that the firms’ environmental strategies remained resilient as no firm decreased their focus on environmental strategy nor did they view this aspect less important. Rather some firms intensified their environmental strategies suggesting that this might be a viable strategy to survive a crisis.