West Africa’s textile and clothing (T&C) industries have persevered through the decline following the economic liberalization policies in the 1980s. This thesis seeks to explore the sustainable and circular business models which exist in the West African region. It also explores the ways that businesses relate to the social conditions of poverty, a small T&C industry, strong competition from imports, and the concentrated levels of imported textile waste. Through a qualitative methodology, secondary data is collected on thirty T&C businesses in West Africa. These businesses are analyzed through the framework of the eleven sustainable business model (SBM) pattern groups by Lüdeke-Freund, et al. (2018). In the results, five main SBM pattern groups emerge: Supply Chain, Social Mission, Closing-the-Loop, Eco-design, and Cooperative pattern groups. Most of the businesses do not fall neatly into one pattern, but rather embody various hybrid sustainable business models. West Africa is unusual in facing both high poverty rates and textile waste landfills, which may influence the multi-dimensional approach to sustainability. By working with the local textile value chain and artisan communities, the thirty businesses contribute to poverty alleviation. They also pave the way for ‘artisan futurism,’ where handicraft is combined with circularity and eco-design initiatives, leading the West African T&C industry into the future.

Rapportens syfte är dels att belysa om frisörbranschens miljöpåverkan genom kemikalieutsläpp, att undersöka hur kommunens tillsynsrutiner ser ut på frisörsalonger runt om i Sverige. Samt undersöka hur dessa rutiner skulle kunna förbättras för att minska farliga utsläpp och utifrån ett miljöperspektiv skapa mer hållbara arbetssätt. Det slutgiltiga syftet för rapporten är att den ska fungera som ett informationsunderlag till kommunernas tillsynsmän och även till de myndigheter och organisationer som de samarbetar med. Genom kemikalieutsläpp och otillräcklig avfallshantering har frisörbranschen stor påverkan både i inre och yttre miljöer (K. Boll 2011). En rapport från Stockholm Vatten som utfördes 2012 visar även att rester av aromatiska fenoler och aminer finns kvar i överskottsfärgen i håret efter hårfärgning och spolas därmed ut det kommunala avloppssystemet vid efterföljande hårtvättar när kunden gått från salongen. Om färgämnena inte bryts ned i reningsverket kan de störa reningsprocesserna eller försämra kvaliteten på det utgående avloppsvattnet och slam. Flertalet ämnen som vanligtvis hittas i hårprodukter är förutom hälsoskadligt också giftiga för våra vattenlevande organismer och kan orsaka skadliga långtidseffekter i vattenmiljön (S. E. Tjus 2014 ). Idag är inte frisörverksamheter anmälningspliktiga men de har skyldighet att utföra egenkontroll enligt miljöbalken (1998:901). Läkemedelsverket och kommunerna är operativa tillsynsmyndigheter för kosmetiska produkter och ska enligt miljötillsynsförordningen 2011:13 utföra tillsyn över frisörverksamheter. Trots att det finns relativt lite forskning på miljöskadliga ämnen kopplat till just i hygienprodukter så kan dessa ämnen i många fall hittas genom artiklar där det fokuseras på till exempel industriell verksamhet (Europaparlamentet 2007) (Läkemedelsverket 2003). Kathon är ett exempel på detta då det förutom i hårprodukter också används i färg, lim, skärvätskor, spackel och fogmassor. Ämnet kan vara allergiframkallande och är miljöskadliga (E. Vene 2015) (T. Svensson 2016). Inför denna rapport har jag valt att utföra en nulägesanalys över hur Sveriges kommuners tillsynsrutiner ser ut för frisörbranschen, detta skapades genom att kommunerna svarade på tre öppna frågor. För att få ytterligare underlag valde jag ut några kommuner som fick svara på en mer ingående enkät. Ännu ett perspektiv på frågorna har skapats genom att en enkät till frisörer skickats ut. Sammanställningarna av dessa intervjuer indikerar en tydlig informationsbrist både hos kommunen och frisörerna, de båda parterna skulle behöva en konkret plan för att utföra en mer effektiv tillsyn och därmed skapa en möjlighet för att arbeta mot att minska de miljöskadliga aktiviteterna. / The report's purpose is to shed light on the hairdressing industry's environmental impact by chemical emissions, to investigate how the routines for municipal supervisors look like in the hair salons around Sweden. And investigate if these routines could be improved to reduce the harmful emissions and from an environmental perspective create a more sustainable approach. The final aim of the report is that it should operate as an information base for municipal inspectors and also to the authorities and organizations they work with. Through chemical emissions and inadequate waste disposal hairdressing business has a great influence both on internal and external environments (K. Boll 2011). A report that Stockholm Water conducted in 2012 also shows that residues of aromatic phenols and amines remain in your hair after hair wash and are flushed out through the municipal sewage system. If the dyes are not broken down in the water treatment plant, they can interfere with treatment processes or reduce the quality of the outgoing wastewater and sludge. Most substances commonly found in hair products are in addition to harmful too toxic for our aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment (S. E. Tjus 2014). Today the hairdressing business is not notifiable but they are obligated to perform a self-monitoring system under the Environmental Code (SFS 1998:901). Medical Product Agency and municipalities are operational regulating authorities for cosmetic products and should, according to environmental inspection regulation (2011:13) supervise the hairdressing businesses. Although there is relatively little research on environmentally harmful substances linked to hygiene products, the same substances can often be found through articles which focus on industrial activities (European Parliament 2007). Kathon is an example of this as it except in hair products are also used in paints, adhesives, cutting fluids, putty and sealants. The substance is most likely both allergenic and environmentally harmful (E. Vene 2015) (T. Svensson 2016). Prior to this report, I chose to conduct an analysis of the current situation of how the Swedish municipalities' practices the supervising on the saloons. To obtain additional documentation I chose some municipalities that had to answer a more detailed questionnaire. Another perspective on these issues has been provided by a survey that was sent out to hairdressers in Sweden. The compilation of these interviews indicates a clear lack of information among the municipality and the hairdressers, the two parties would need a concrete plan to perform a more effective supervision, thereby creating an opportunity to work towards the reduction of environmentally harmful activities. / <p>2016-06-29</p>

The topic of sustainability has found its way into the corporate entrepreneurship activities of large corporations. The Sustainable Corporate Entrepreneurship (SCE) strand is still in its infancy. Since most large corporations engage in corporate entrepreneurship and are exploring new business models inside and outside corporate boundaries, several questions arise from different viewpoints. First, from corporate perspective researchers and business leaders wonder which internal modes of SCE activities have emerged in business practice and how large corporations explore sustainable value propositions. Second, from entrepreneur and investor perspective, the question emerges which factors influence the likelihood of corporate ventures, such as spin-offs from corporations, raising venture capital to scale sustainable business models. Therefore, to further develop the field of SCE, this cumulative dissertation presents three research papers analysing sustainable corporate entrepreneurship at the intersection of corporations and start-ups.

This study identifies enabling factors for a circular business model that focuses on use-oriented services in the fashion industry. The objective is to provide an overview of the possibilities of use-oriented services for sustainability and to determine motives for renting everyday clothes from a consumer perspective.The clothing industry is one of the most polluting and unsustainable business industries (Leal Filho et al., 2019). It starts to move towards the wider movement of circular economy and use-oriented service businesses, which some scholars see PSS as a sustainable business option due to its reduced environmental impact of economic activity (Baines et al., 2007). With the concept being tested on less quality-focused fashion retailers, the concept's real strength can be slowly analyzed. This study focuses on incentives and obstacles for conscious consumers to participate in a fashion renting program as well as the possibilities for sustainability from a consumer perspective. A multidisciplinary literature review was conducted to get insights into the topics of sustainable business models, circular businesses in particular, and product service systems, especially in the fashion industry. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect empirical data that were analyzed and related to the concept of social practice theory. The results show that renting everyday garments appears as a new concept that has not been considered yet. There is a general interest in renting special occasion clothes. Identified obstacles are the own lack of interest in fashion styles, no need for new clothes, quality, as well as logistic and transportation concerns.Sustainability was an overall important aspect for all respondents and, therefore, the concept of renting was mainly discussed in the sense of providing a sustainable purpose. Participants agreed that the business model could contribute to sustainability when the lifetime of garments is significantly extended. However, they questioned if renting can really decouple economic success from material consumption.

No description available.

Som en reaktion mot fast fashion-rörelsen och de oansvariga konsumtionsmönster som den medför har slow fashion uppstått som ett mer hållbart alternativ i modebranschen. Slow fashion beskrivs ofta som mode av hög kvalitet med en tidlös design vars syfte är att sakta ner flödena och minska konsumtionen. Tidigare studier beskriver slow fashion som koncept och några incitament och barriärer för att arbeta med slow fashion. Dock saknas en konkret definition av slow fashion-affärsmodellen och dess ingående komponenter. Det finns också ett gap mellan teorin och den praktiska tillämpningen av slow fashion-affärsmodellen, vilket gör detta till ett intressant perspektiv att undersöka. Därför är syftet med denna studie att bidra med ökad förståelse kring möjligheterna med slow fashion-affärsmodellen för modeföretag. Slow fashion-affärsmodellen definieras baserat på tidigare litteratur om affärsmodeller och slow fashion-konceptet. Detta presenteras som en modell med fyra komponenter: värdeerbjudande, värdeskapande, värdeleverans och värdelogik. Jämförelsen mellan denna definition och affärsmodellerna för sju modeföretag visar att det finns många möjligheter kopplade till slow fashion-värdeerbjudandet. I vilken utsträckning de andra komponenterna i slow fashion tillämpas i praktiken beror på företagets målgrupp, ägarstruktur och hur hållbarhet är förankrat i organisationen. När det gäller intressentperspektivet på slow fashion-affärsmodellen visar studien att myndigheter och beslutsfattare har störst möjligheter att möjliggöra slow fashion-affärsmodellen, genom att påverka både modeindustrin och konsumenterna. På grund av aktieägarnas inflytande över modeföretagens långsiktiga strategi kan de vara en drivkraft om hållbarhet prioriteras av dem. Andra intressenter kan agera som möjliggörare för tillämpningen av slow fashion-komponenter på grund av sitt potentiella intresse för hållbarhet och minskad konsumtion.Studiens syfte besvaras med följande propositioner: Proposition 1: Det finns en marknad för slow fashion-värdeerbjudandet men det saknas incitament för att tillämpa affärsmodellen fullt ut. Proposition 2: Konkurrenskraften i slow fashion-affärsmodellen ligger i värdeerbjudandet, inte i priset. Proposition 3: En styrka i slow fashion-affärsmodellen är dess lönsamhetspotential, vilket kan gynna ägare och investerare. Sammanfattningsvis visar studien att det finns potential när det gäller efterfrågan, konkurrenskraft och lönsamhet i slow fashion-affärsmodellen. Det finns dock begränsade incitament för modeföretag att tillämpa alla komponenter i affärsmodellen i sin verksamhet. Det finns också indikationer på att efterfrågan på mer långvariga kläder kan öka i framtiden. För tillfället verkar dock behovet av variation fortsätta vara starkt. / As a reaction to the fast fashion movement and the irresponsible consumption patterns derived from it, slow fashion has emerged as a more sustainable option in the fashion industry. Slow fashion is often described as fashion of high quality with a timeless design that aims to slow down the product flows and reduce consumption. Although previous studies describe slow fashion as a concept and some of its general incentives and barriers, a concrete definition of the slow fashion business model and its components is missing. There is also a gap between the theoretical and practical application of the slow fashion business model. The practical application is greatly influenced by different stakeholders in the fashion industry, which makes it an interesting perspective to study. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide a deeper understanding of the possibilities with the slow fashion business model for fashion companies. The slow fashion business model is defined based on previous literature on business models and the slow fashion concept. This is presented in a model of four components: value proposition, value creation, value delivery, and value logic. The comparison between this definition and the business models of seven fashion companies, shows that there are many possibilities connected to the slow fashion value proposition. The extent to which the other slow fashion components are applied in practice depends on the company’s target customers, owner structure and how sustainability is embedded in the organization. Regarding the stakeholder perspective on the slow fashion business model, the study shows that public authorities and regulators have the largest possibilities to enable the slow fashion business model by influencing both the fashion industry and consumers. Due to the shareholders’ say in the long-term strategy of fashion companies, they could be a driving force if sustainability is prioritized among them. Other stakeholders could act as enablers to the application of slow fashion components, because of their potential interest in sustainability and reduced consumption. The aim of this study is answered with the following propositions: Proposition 1: There is a market for the slow fashion value proposition but incentives for full application of the business model are missing. Proposition 2: The competitiveness of the slow fashion business model lies in the value proposition, not the price. Proposition 3: A strength in the slow fashion business model is its potential for profitability, which can benefit shareholders and investors. In conclusion, the study shows that there is potential regarding demand, competitiveness and profitability in the slow fashion business model. However, there are limited incentives for fashion companies to apply all of the components in their operations. Also, there are indications that the demand for more long-lasting clothing might increase in the future. At the time, however, it seems the need for variation will continue to be strong.

Bakgrund och problemdiskussion: Globala utmaningar och förändrade förutsättningar har bidragit till att hållbarhetsbegreppet har fått en större betydelse och genomslag i samhällsdebatten, vilket har medfört att fler verksamheter inkluderar hållbarhet i arbete. En följd av förändringarna som orsakats av uttömning av naturresurser, klimatförändringar och en ojämlikhet i världen, är att företag tvingats till att utforma och betrakta nya styrmetoder för att fortsätta vara konkurrenskraftiga. Således har hållbarhetsbegreppet integrerats i företagens verksamhetsstyrning allt mer, både med syftet att skapa värde för intressenter, men även för samhället i stort. Begreppet hållbarhet är komplext, vilket medför utmaningar när hållbarhet ska integreras i verksamheter. En utmaning som belyses är balansen mellan hållbarhetsdimensionerna samt hur dessa ska integreras i verksamhetsstyrningen genom att använda hållbarhetsmål. Tidigare forskning har inte belyst hur hållbarhet integreras i verksamhetsstyrningen genom användandet av hållbarhetsmål, därav ämnar denna studie att undersöka detta. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att skapa förståelse för hur hållbarhet integreras i verksamhetsstyrning genom att analysera hur stora svenska företag praktiskt upprättar och följer upp mål för att styra mot hållbarhet. Metod: Denna studie är av kvalitativ karaktär och tillämpar en abduktiv ansats. Datainsamlingen har skett genom en intervjustudie där nio svenska företag harintervjuats utifrån en semistrukturerad intervjuform. Data har även samlats in genom att information inhämtats från de medverkande företagens årsredovisningar, hållbarhetsredovisningar samt hemsidor. Studiens urval har baserats på Sustainable brand index officiella rapport. Slutsats: Denna studie studie visar hur processen kring integrering av hållbarhet i verksamhetsstyrningen med hjälp av hållbarhetsmål och mått kan gå till. Inom processen identifierades sex steg, vilka är förankrade inom processen för hållbarhetsmål, vilka var identifiera hållbarhetsområden, skapa ägandeskap, fastställa ambitionsnivå, fastställa hållbarhetsmål och utarbeta plan, följa upp, förbättra och utveckla arbetet. Vidare har denna studie bidragit med nya implikationer gällande utmaningar i integreringen av hållbarhet i verksamhetsstyrningen, vilka avser datatillgång, tid och en ny insikt kring den praktiska utmaningen med att finna en balans mellan hållbarhetsdimensionerna, då den ekonomiska aspekten hanteras separat. / Background and problem: Global challenges and changing conditions have contributed to the concept of sustainability gaining greater significance and impact in the public debate, which has meant that more activities include sustainability at work. As a result of the changes caused by the depletion of natural resources, climate change and inequality in the world, companies have been forced to design and consider new business management tools in order to remain competitive. Thus, the concept of sustainability has been increasingly integrated into companies' operational management, both with the aim of creating value for stakeholders, but also for society as a whole. The concept of sustainability is complex, which poses challenges when sustainability is to be integrated into businesses. A challenge that is highlighted is the balance between the sustainability dimensions and how these are to be integrated into business management by using sustainability goals. Previous research has not previously shed light on howsustainability is integrated into business management through the use of sustainability goals, hence this study intends to investigate this. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to create an understanding of how sustainability is integrated into business management by analyzing how large Swedish companies practically establish and follow up goals to steer towards sustainability. Method: This study is based on qualitative research and applies an abductive approach. The data collection took place through an interview study where nine Swedish companies were interviewed based on a semi-structured form of interview. Data has also been collected by gathering information from the participating companies' annual reports, sustainability reports and websites. The study selection was based on the Sustainable brand index official report. Conclusions: This study shows how the process of integrating sustainability into business management with the help of sustainability goals and measures can take place. Within this process, six steps were identified, which are anchored in the process for sustainability goals, which were to identify areas of sustainability, create ownership, determine the level of ambition, set sustainability goals and prepare plans, follow up, improve and develop the work. Furthermore, this study has contributed with new implications regarding challenges in the integration of sustainability in business management, which relate to data availability, time and a new insight into the practical challenge of finding a balance between the sustainability dimensions, when the economic aspect is handled separately.

Rapid growing population, urbanization, climate change, decreasing agricultural production, and soil degradation causes massive challenges for food production and supply chain in Southeast Asia, especially in urban areas. A sustainable food production and supply chain system is needed to produce and supply food for Southeast Asia urban areas. One potential solution to those challenges is introducing vertical farming. Vertical farming can produce high-quality crops locally and sustainably by reducing water and land use, decreasing pesticide use, reducing carbon footprint, and growing plants in any climate. This research aims to identify the current status of vertical farming startups in Southeast Asia, investigate the existing challenges and available opportunities in the Southeast Asia vertical farming industry, and analyze the sustainability practices and sustainable business model innovation implemented by Southeast Asia vertical farming startups. A literature review of vertical farming business typology, business model innovation, and sustainable business model innovation is used to create theoretical frameworks in this research. This research is an exploratory multiple case studies research with a qualitative method. The data in this research is collected through interviews with founders and managers from 10 vertical farming startups in Southeast Asia. The interview data is analyzed using vertical farming business typology, business model framework, and sustainable business model innovation archetypes. The research outcomes indicate that the vertical farming industry in Southeast Asia is an early growing industry, and Southeast Asia vertical farming startups are considered as early growing startups with small capital and small teams. Despite existing financial, operational, and market challenges, Southeast Asia vertical farming startups have considerable opportunities to grow with their effort to develop their vertical farming business into a more sustainable business by conducting various sustainability practices and adopting sustainable business model innovation. / Snabbt växande befolkning, urbanisering, klimatförändringar, minskad jordbruksproduktion och markförstöring orsakar enorma utmaningar för livsmedelsproduktionen och försörjningskedjan i Sydostasien, särskilt i stadsområden. En hållbar livsmedelsproduktion och försörjningskedja behövs för att producera och leverera mat till Sydostasiens stadsområden. En potentiell lösning på dessa utmaningar är att införa vertikalt jordbruk. Vertikalt jordbruk kan producera högkvalitativa grödor lokalt och hållbart genom att minska vatten- och markanvändningen, minska användningen av bekämpningsmedel, minska koldioxidavtrycket och odla växter i alla klimat. Denna forskning syftar till att identifiera den nuvarande statusen för vertikala jordbruks-startups i Sydostasien, undersöka de befintliga utmaningarna och tillgängliga möjligheter i den vertikala jordbruksindustrin och analysera hållbarhetspraxis och hållbar affärsmodellsinnovation som implementerats av vertikala jordbruks-startups. En litteraturgenomgång av vertikal jordbruksverksamhetstypologi och hållbar affärsmodellsinnovation används för att skapa teoretiskt ramverk i denna studie. I detta examensarbete tillämpas en kvalitativ forskning med flera fallstudier. Data samlas in genom intervjuer med grundare och chefer från 10 vertikala jordbruks-startups i Sydostasien. Intervjudata analyseras med hjälp av typologi för vertikal jordbruksföretag, ramverk för affärsmodeller och arketyper för hållbar affärsmodellsinnovation. Resultaten indikerar att den vertikala jordbruksindustrin i Sydostasien är en tidig växande industri, med tidigt växande startups med litet kapital och små team. Trots befintliga ekonomiska, operativa och marknadsmässiga utmaningar har vertikala jordbruks-startups i Sydostasien stora möjligheter att växa med sina ansträngningar att utveckla sin vertikala jordbruksverksamhet till en mer hållbar verksamhet genom att bedriva olika hållbarhetsmetoder och införa hållbar affärsmodellsinnovation.

‘Nature-positive’ (NP) is emerging as an increasingly used term, intended to encompass goals aimed at reversing the global decline in biodiversity and the incessant destruction of ecosystems. The 1.5-degree goal of the Paris agreement has become a unifying target in the climate discourse, accompanied by the guiding concept of ‘net-zero’ emissions. Anequivalent, widely accepted target for biodiversity has been called for, with NP being named a contender to take this position. However, the concept NP, and net-zero alike, have been subject to criticism. Building on an extensive literature search, this study seeks to identify and analyse the most frequently employed definitions of NP, and who promotes them. It also aims to draw conclusions from a comparative analysis where definitions of NP are mapped onto the IPBES- promoted Nature Futures Framework (NFF). For this purpose, an assessment tool (‘the NFF Mixing Triangle’) is presented. The study finds that NP is frequently used without specifying its meaning, in scientific and non-scientific literature alike. While existing dominant definitions are largely aligned on the conceptual level, there is a lack of consensus on a common definition among stakeholders. The Global Goal for Nature (GG4N) stands out as the most referenced source for defining NP, and is found to have the strongest alignment with NFF. While problematising and discussing criticism, the study suggests a number of focus areas that could serve the future potential of NP. This includes converging NP definitions, balancing definitions across the NFF value dimensions, and considering applicability across multiple scales. An aspiration to consolidate guiding frameworks, use of the Mitigation Hierarchy to strengthen the robustness of NP, and focus on stewardship inside corporations as well as across sectors and value chains, is proposed. Meanwhile, the study suggests that the external drivers of legislation and regulation, and the current growth paradigm and consumption patterns, need to be addressed in concert if NP is to have a real contribution to sustainability transformation.

Background: Sustainable organizational change has become one of the greatest challenges facing contemporary businesses. The metal manufacturing industry is important in the transition, due to its impact on global GDP and the climate. SMEs covers a large portion of the metal manufacturing industry, where their transformation is crucial as well. Problem: Despite the importance of sustainable change, there is limited research on how manufacturing SMEs can effectively manage a sustainable transformation. This gap necessitates elucidating the context of SMEs in sustainability, and exploring methods for sustainable change management within these organizations.  Purpose: The aim of this research is to explore sustainability and organizational change in the context of manufacturing SMEs, to provide a deeper understanding on how manufacturing SMEs can sustainably transform their business activities through adequate methods and processes. Method: This research takes on the philosophical position of critical realism and utilizes a qualitative, explorative, and inductive approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten managers from manufacturing SMEs. A thematic analysis was also adopted to extend the previous research.  Conclusion: Manufacturing SMEs adopt various sustainability activities, in line with the triple bottom line. They are also going towards a more formal approach for sustainability. Economic performance and sustainability go together for manufacturing SMEs, whereas more knowledge is connected to higher altruistic motivations and clear sustainability strategies. A combination of continuous incremental and transformational change is evident. This research found a six-step process for SMEs sustainable change management, elucidating their more flexible and adaptive culture alongside specific advantages and challenges. Their capabilities of learning and an informal culture facilitates fast decision-making and the continuous improvement of their practices, facilitating economic performance and sustainable change.