Stakeholder interaction has been recognised as one of the main principles to advance organisational sustainability. However, there is only limited knowledge on how organisations interact with their stakeholders to develop sustainability practices from an overarching perspective. There is also only fragmented research on the role of stakeholders when developing a sustainable business model (SBM). The purpose of this thesis is therefore to explore the role of stakeholder interaction for developing organisational sustainability practices and SBMs. Three research questions drive this thesis which compiles three papers based on three individual studies. The first study concentrates on stakeholder interaction as an organisational sustainability practice applying quantitative methods. The second study is a systematic literature review analysing the role of stakeholder interaction to develop SBMs. The third study explores how organisations implemented stakeholder interaction efforts, using qualitative methods. The results reveal that stakeholder interaction implemented as organisational sustainability practices and part of the SBM includes multiple stakeholders and different interaction degrees, potentially leading to new value opportunities and virtuous cycles of sustainable value creation. However, while organisations recognise the importance of stakeholder interaction, most organisations focus on low-to medium interaction degrees related to specific sustainability activities. This may limits the potential of stakeholder interaction for developing organisational sustainability practices and SBMs. This thesis contributes to sustainability, stakeholder and SBM literature by systematically exploring the role of stakeholder interaction, highlighting different degrees and extents practices are implemented in organisations. For practitioners, insights are offered how to foster stakeholder interaction practices and with that move towards organisational sustainability.

Stakeholder engagement is considered, by both researchers and practitioners, an increasingly important aspect of corporate sustainability, and it is argued that companies should work together with their stakeholders to address the substantial social and environmental challenges ahead. Because of its importance, scholars within stakeholder theory and corporate sustainability have called for more research on how stakeholder engagement is conducted. This thesis, based on interviews with sustainability executives representing 18 Nordic companies, explores how companies work to engage stakeholders in their sustainability work. The study indicates that stakeholder engagement is an important part of the companies’ sustainability work, and that the companies are dependent on working together with stakeholders. It also highlights that even though stakeholder engagement occurs on a range of different levels, from one-way communication to strategic collaborations, education and information sharing efforts appear to be the most common. The companies in the study advocate for engaging with all stakeholders, but three stakeholder groups are considered particularly important due to their impact on the companies: customers, investors, and employees. Finally, transparency, openness, and listening are considered important success factors for stakeholder engagement, whereas lack of resources is seen as the overarching challenge.

Цель исследования – реализация проекта по созданию прототипов личного кабинета клиента для сайта девелопера, с помощью которого покупатель сможет выбирать и приобретать объекты недвижимости в дистанционном формате. Объектом исследования является информационная система для взаимодействия заинтересованных сторон в процессе приобретения недвижимости. Научная новизна исследования заключается в авторском предложении по трансформации процесса приобретения недвижимости. В частности, данное исследование предлагает новый подход к организации процесса покупки недвижимости в формате онлайн-сделки на региональном уровне, который позволит автоматизировать большинство рутинных операций. Практическая значимость исследования заключается в применении авторских предложений по разработке прототипов личного кабинета клиента, который позволит улучшить взаимодействие между компанией и клиентами. / The aim of the research is to implement a project to create prototypes of a personal client cabinet for a developer's website, with the help of which a buyer will be able to select and purchase real estate objects in a remote format. The object of the study is an information system for the interaction of stakeholders in the process of real estate acquisition. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the author's proposal to transform the process of real estate acquisition. In particular, this study proposes a new approach to the organization of the process of real estate purchase in the format of online transaction at the regional level, which will automate most of the routine operations. The practical significance of the study lies in the application of the author's proposals for the development of prototypes of a personal customer cabinet, which will improve the interaction between the company and customers.

Research questions: What effects can institutional pressures have on firms' sustainable activities? How can firms interact with their stakeholders to overcome the challenge of being sustainable and profitable?  Purpose: As sustainability is on the agenda for institutions worldwide, there is relevance in elevating the understanding of how institutional pressures impact firms' sustainable activities, and what mechanisms that firms can incorporate when developing CSR activities. Thus, we wish to contribute to the strategic benefits of stakeholder interaction to balance profitability and sustainability.  Method: Explorative, qualitative, case study. Conclusion: Institutional pressures have a significant impact on firms’ sustainable activities where the two main drivers are laws and regulations and the market demand. As a result, the main activities that these pressures bring forth include sustainability reporting, certifications, decreasing the carbon footprints, and the delivery of EPDs to the customers. Stakeholder interaction such as communication and collaboration can foster sustainable development and give a deeper understanding of mutually beneficial outcomes that enables firms to balance profitability and sustainability.