<p>Abstract</p><p>Historically, value was believed to be created and embedded in the manufacturing process, implying that companies were the creators of value. Conversely, the notion of value-creation changed during the last decades and has implemented the customer orientation and service centred view. Instead, researchers currently believe that companies only can offer value-propositions, which means that value is to be created by the customers. Services and goods are much about values and identity today, which people connect to therefore it is important that positive values are associated with the company.</p><p>The purpose of this case study is to present if values can drive value for sustainable business. In order to illustrate this we have chosen Konsum Värmland for our investigation, an independent consumer co-operative own by its 126 000 members. Konsum Värmland has advantages by being independent from KF (the co-operative union in Sweden), this by being able to set its own strategies and visions.</p><p>This thesis aspires to illustrate which values Konsum Värmland stands for and to see if Konsum Värmland has succeeded to communicate these values to their stakeholders.</p><p>We will present the theoretical framework and how values-based management is an excellent performance measurement for co-creating values together with its stakeholders. We chose to use a narrative approach for our empirical analysis. The narratives are based on interviews, observations and secondary data that we obtained in forms of literature, articles and previous research.</p><p>We have chosen to investigate four areas for our case study, which are obvious of creating values. The areas are; the history Konsum Värmland, the brands Nästgård and Värmlandsgrisen, and the adapting and developing Konsum Värmland. These areas give the reader an insight to the value creation efforts of Konsum Värmland.</p><p>It is important for companies to differentiate themselves from others, in order to stay competitive in the everyday retail branch. This is something that Konsum Värmland has done by standing for values that contributes to the region of Värmland</p><p>This case study shows how the consumer co-operative thinking is becoming more modern, in co-creating common values and meanings. The consumer co-operative thinking also tells us that is can be used as a competitive strategy, to be able to predict and to adapt to the market.</p><p>In this study we can see that local produced goods generate value, which makes the customer want to buy the goods even if they are more expensive. The values are communicated through the brands Värmlandsgrisen and Nästgård and the goods are offered in form of values-based service quality. We have created a model that illustrates how the vision, organization and the value-creation have to be in balance, to create values that can drive value for sustainable business.</p> / <p>Résumé</p><p>Historiquement des valeurs et leur création étaient vues comme un élément de la procédure de fabrication ce qui voulait dire que seul l’entreprise prenait le rôle du créateur de valeur. En parallèle le regard sur la création de valeur a évolué pendant ses dernières décennies vers une perspective s’orientant plus vers le client et donc plus accentuée « service ». Ces deux approches sont complétées par un avis des experts modernes qui défend la position que seule une offre basée sur des vraies valeurs peut réussir et émerger de son univers concurrentiel. Uniquement les produits, proposant une base de valeur, réussissent à influencer la perception des clients de manière durable. Des services et des produits peuvent émerger donc seulement à travers de leurs valeurs, c’est à dire à travers de leur identité, puisque les gens arrivent mieux à se mettre en rapport ce qui crée idéalement un attachement. C’est pour ça que c’est important que l’entreprise associe des valeurs à ses marques et surtout de le rend percevable aux clients de manière crédible.</p><p>Le but de cet analyse est de montrer comment des valeurs peuvent durablement porter le succès économique d’entreprises. Afin de l’illustrer pour notre étude nous avons choisi Konsum Värmland, qui compte 126 000 membres en tant que coopérative indépendante. Grâce à cela Konsum Värmland a des avantages, puisque il est indépendant du syndicat suédois KF et donc autonome de réaliser ses propres stratégies et visions.</p><p>Au delà de ça cet analyse veut montre quelles valeurs Konsum Värmland représente, et veut également examiner si Konsum Värmland a réussi à les communiquer à ses membres et ses clients.</p><p>A travers un model théorique nous allons montrer comment le management à base de valeur est un excellent indicateur pour la création de valeur mutuellement avec les membres de la coopérative. Nous avons donc choisi une approche narrative pour analyse empirique. Les conclusions se basent sur des interviews, nos observations ainsi que d’autres données que nous avons obtenu dans la litérature, des articles de la presse et par une recherche préliminaire.</p><p>Pour cet étude de cas nous avons décidé d’examiner quatre secteurs de la création de valeur qui sont l’histoire d’entreprise de Konsum Värmland, ses deux marques Nästgård et Värmlandsgrisen, ainsi que leur adaptation et évolution menées par Konsum Värmland. Ces secteurs donnent au lecteur une compréhension approfondie de la création de valeur stratégique à Konsum Värmland.</p><p>Dans l’intention de rester compétitif dans l’environnement quotidien de grand distribution, il est important pour l’entreprise de se différencier des autres. Konsum Värmland a réussi à le faire grâce à exploitation intelligente des valeurs ancrées dans la région de Värmland.</p><p>Par ailleurs cet étude de cas montre comment le raisonnement des clients évolue vers une création mutuelle des valeurs communes entre demande et offre. Ce comportement nous</p><p>amène à la conclusion qu’il utilisable davantage dans une stratégie de compétition afin d’anticiper des changements de marché dans l’objectif de s’adapter vite au nouveau contexte.</p><p>Dans cette analyse nous pouvons voir comment des produits locaux peuvent profiter des valeurs éthiques ce qui favorise une relation dans laquelle les clients sont prêts à acheter des produits même s’ils sont plus chers qu’ailleurs. Ces valeurs sont communiquées à travers les marques Värmlandsgrisen et Nästgård dont on propose les produits en s’appuyant sur une qualité de service à valeur ajoutée. Nous avons développé un model qui montre quelle vision, organisation et création de valeur doivent être balancés l’un à l’autre. Seulement à ce moment là il est possible de créer des valeurs, qui portent durablement le succès économique de l’entreprise.</p> / <p>Zusammenfassung</p><p>Ursprünglich wurden Werte and Wertschöpfung in der Wirtschaftsgeschichte als Teil des Herstellungsprozesses angesehen, was wiederum bedeutet das Unternehmen als Werterzeuger auftraten. Parallel veränderte sich die Bedeutung von Wertschaffung in der letzten Jahrzehnten in Richtung einer mehr Kundenorientierten und damit service-ausgerichteten Ansicht. Diesen beiden Perspektiven gegenüber steht, dass Wirtschaftsforscher heute davon ausgehen, dass Unternehmen ausschliesslich durch wertebasierende Angebote im Markt erfolgreich sein können. Nur diese schaffen es durch deren Empfinden den Kunden nachhaltig zu beeinflussen. Dienstleistungen und Waren sind also durch deren Werte und damit deren Identität erfolgreich, da Menschen diese besser mit ihren eigenen in Verbindung bringen können was im Idealfall eine stärkere Bindung bedeutet. Daher ist es wichtig, dass Unternehmen positive Werte mit ihren Marken verbinden und vor allem für die Kunden glaubhaft erlebbar machen.</p><p>Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es zu zeigen wie Werte den nachhaltigen wirtschaftlichen Erfolg von Unternehmen fördern können. Um dies zu veranschaulichen haben wir für unsere Untersuchung Konsum Värmland gewählt, welches als unabhängige Vereinigung 126 000 Mitglieder zählt. Konsum Värmland hat dadurch Vorteile, da es einerseits unabhängig von der schwedischen Gewerkschaft KF ist und andererseits damit in der Lage ist seine eigenen Strategien und Vision umzusetzen.</p><p>Diese Arbeit hat den Anspruch zu erläutern für welche Werte Konsum Värmland steht, und darüberhinaus zu untersuchen, ob Konsum Värmland es gelungen ist diese erfolgreich seinen Mitgliedern sowie Kunden zu kommunizieren.</p><p>Wir werden mit Hilfe eines theoretischen Rahmenmodells zeigen wie wertebasiertes Management ein exzellenter Ergebnismesser für gemeinsame Wertschaffung mit den Mitgliedern der Kooperative sein kann. Wir haben für diese empirische Analysis daher einen erzählerischen Ansatz gewählt. Die erzählerischen Schlussfolgerungen basieren auf Interviews, eigenen Beobachtungen sowie weiteren Daten welche wir aus Fachliteratur, Zeitungsartikeln and vorangegangener Forschung erhielten.</p><p>Für dies Fallstudie haben wir uns entschieden vier Bereich der Wertschaffung zu untersuchen. Diese sind die Unternehmensgeschichte von Konsum Värmland, die beiden Handelsmarken Nästgård und Värmlandsgrisen, sowie deren Anpassung durch und Entwicklung von Konsum Värmland. Diese Bereiche geben dem Leser eine tiefere Einsicht in die strategische Wertschaffung von Konsum Värmland.</p><p>In der Absicht im alltäglichen Einzelhandelsumfeld wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben, ist es für Unternehmen dabei wichtig, sich selbst von anderen zu differenzieren. Dieses gelang Konsum Värmland durch deren erfolgreiche Nutzung von in der Värmland-Region verankerten Werten.</p><p>Diese Fallstudie zeigt wie sich modernes Konsumentendenken hinzu einer kooperativen Schöpfung gemeinschaftlicher Werte und Bedeutungen entwickelt. Dieses</p><p>Kundendenken veranlasst uns zu der Schlussfolgerung, dass es in einer Wertbewerbsstrategie genutzt werden kann um Marktveränderung rechtzeitig zu erkennen und sich daran anzupassen.</p><p>In dieser Studie können wir sehen wie lokal erzeugte Güter ethische Werte zu nutzen, was die Kunden wiederum dazu bewegt die Produkte zu kaufen, selbst wenn diese leicht teurer sind. Die Werte werden mittels der Handelsmarken Värmlandsgrisen und Nästgård kommuniziert, indem deren Erzeugnisse über eine wertebasierte Servicequalität angeboten werden. Wir haben dazu ein Model entwickelt, welches zeigt wie Vision, Organisation und die Wertschaffung auf einander abgestimmt sein müssen. Nur dann können Werte geschaffen werden, welche den nachhaltigen wirtschaftlichen Erfolg von Unternehmen fördern können.</p>

Abstract Historically, value was believed to be created and embedded in the manufacturing process, implying that companies were the creators of value. Conversely, the notion of value-creation changed during the last decades and has implemented the customer orientation and service centred view. Instead, researchers currently believe that companies only can offer value-propositions, which means that value is to be created by the customers. Services and goods are much about values and identity today, which people connect to therefore it is important that positive values are associated with the company. The purpose of this case study is to present if values can drive value for sustainable business. In order to illustrate this we have chosen Konsum Värmland for our investigation, an independent consumer co-operative own by its 126 000 members. Konsum Värmland has advantages by being independent from KF (the co-operative union in Sweden), this by being able to set its own strategies and visions. This thesis aspires to illustrate which values Konsum Värmland stands for and to see if Konsum Värmland has succeeded to communicate these values to their stakeholders. We will present the theoretical framework and how values-based management is an excellent performance measurement for co-creating values together with its stakeholders. We chose to use a narrative approach for our empirical analysis. The narratives are based on interviews, observations and secondary data that we obtained in forms of literature, articles and previous research. We have chosen to investigate four areas for our case study, which are obvious of creating values. The areas are; the history Konsum Värmland, the brands Nästgård and Värmlandsgrisen, and the adapting and developing Konsum Värmland. These areas give the reader an insight to the value creation efforts of Konsum Värmland. It is important for companies to differentiate themselves from others, in order to stay competitive in the everyday retail branch. This is something that Konsum Värmland has done by standing for values that contributes to the region of Värmland This case study shows how the consumer co-operative thinking is becoming more modern, in co-creating common values and meanings. The consumer co-operative thinking also tells us that is can be used as a competitive strategy, to be able to predict and to adapt to the market. In this study we can see that local produced goods generate value, which makes the customer want to buy the goods even if they are more expensive. The values are communicated through the brands Värmlandsgrisen and Nästgård and the goods are offered in form of values-based service quality. We have created a model that illustrates how the vision, organization and the value-creation have to be in balance, to create values that can drive value for sustainable business. / Résumé Historiquement des valeurs et leur création étaient vues comme un élément de la procédure de fabrication ce qui voulait dire que seul l’entreprise prenait le rôle du créateur de valeur. En parallèle le regard sur la création de valeur a évolué pendant ses dernières décennies vers une perspective s’orientant plus vers le client et donc plus accentuée « service ». Ces deux approches sont complétées par un avis des experts modernes qui défend la position que seule une offre basée sur des vraies valeurs peut réussir et émerger de son univers concurrentiel. Uniquement les produits, proposant une base de valeur, réussissent à influencer la perception des clients de manière durable. Des services et des produits peuvent émerger donc seulement à travers de leurs valeurs, c’est à dire à travers de leur identité, puisque les gens arrivent mieux à se mettre en rapport ce qui crée idéalement un attachement. C’est pour ça que c’est important que l’entreprise associe des valeurs à ses marques et surtout de le rend percevable aux clients de manière crédible. Le but de cet analyse est de montrer comment des valeurs peuvent durablement porter le succès économique d’entreprises. Afin de l’illustrer pour notre étude nous avons choisi Konsum Värmland, qui compte 126 000 membres en tant que coopérative indépendante. Grâce à cela Konsum Värmland a des avantages, puisque il est indépendant du syndicat suédois KF et donc autonome de réaliser ses propres stratégies et visions. Au delà de ça cet analyse veut montre quelles valeurs Konsum Värmland représente, et veut également examiner si Konsum Värmland a réussi à les communiquer à ses membres et ses clients. A travers un model théorique nous allons montrer comment le management à base de valeur est un excellent indicateur pour la création de valeur mutuellement avec les membres de la coopérative. Nous avons donc choisi une approche narrative pour analyse empirique. Les conclusions se basent sur des interviews, nos observations ainsi que d’autres données que nous avons obtenu dans la litérature, des articles de la presse et par une recherche préliminaire. Pour cet étude de cas nous avons décidé d’examiner quatre secteurs de la création de valeur qui sont l’histoire d’entreprise de Konsum Värmland, ses deux marques Nästgård et Värmlandsgrisen, ainsi que leur adaptation et évolution menées par Konsum Värmland. Ces secteurs donnent au lecteur une compréhension approfondie de la création de valeur stratégique à Konsum Värmland. Dans l’intention de rester compétitif dans l’environnement quotidien de grand distribution, il est important pour l’entreprise de se différencier des autres. Konsum Värmland a réussi à le faire grâce à exploitation intelligente des valeurs ancrées dans la région de Värmland. Par ailleurs cet étude de cas montre comment le raisonnement des clients évolue vers une création mutuelle des valeurs communes entre demande et offre. Ce comportement nous amène à la conclusion qu’il utilisable davantage dans une stratégie de compétition afin d’anticiper des changements de marché dans l’objectif de s’adapter vite au nouveau contexte. Dans cette analyse nous pouvons voir comment des produits locaux peuvent profiter des valeurs éthiques ce qui favorise une relation dans laquelle les clients sont prêts à acheter des produits même s’ils sont plus chers qu’ailleurs. Ces valeurs sont communiquées à travers les marques Värmlandsgrisen et Nästgård dont on propose les produits en s’appuyant sur une qualité de service à valeur ajoutée. Nous avons développé un model qui montre quelle vision, organisation et création de valeur doivent être balancés l’un à l’autre. Seulement à ce moment là il est possible de créer des valeurs, qui portent durablement le succès économique de l’entreprise. / Zusammenfassung Ursprünglich wurden Werte and Wertschöpfung in der Wirtschaftsgeschichte als Teil des Herstellungsprozesses angesehen, was wiederum bedeutet das Unternehmen als Werterzeuger auftraten. Parallel veränderte sich die Bedeutung von Wertschaffung in der letzten Jahrzehnten in Richtung einer mehr Kundenorientierten und damit service-ausgerichteten Ansicht. Diesen beiden Perspektiven gegenüber steht, dass Wirtschaftsforscher heute davon ausgehen, dass Unternehmen ausschliesslich durch wertebasierende Angebote im Markt erfolgreich sein können. Nur diese schaffen es durch deren Empfinden den Kunden nachhaltig zu beeinflussen. Dienstleistungen und Waren sind also durch deren Werte und damit deren Identität erfolgreich, da Menschen diese besser mit ihren eigenen in Verbindung bringen können was im Idealfall eine stärkere Bindung bedeutet. Daher ist es wichtig, dass Unternehmen positive Werte mit ihren Marken verbinden und vor allem für die Kunden glaubhaft erlebbar machen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es zu zeigen wie Werte den nachhaltigen wirtschaftlichen Erfolg von Unternehmen fördern können. Um dies zu veranschaulichen haben wir für unsere Untersuchung Konsum Värmland gewählt, welches als unabhängige Vereinigung 126 000 Mitglieder zählt. Konsum Värmland hat dadurch Vorteile, da es einerseits unabhängig von der schwedischen Gewerkschaft KF ist und andererseits damit in der Lage ist seine eigenen Strategien und Vision umzusetzen. Diese Arbeit hat den Anspruch zu erläutern für welche Werte Konsum Värmland steht, und darüberhinaus zu untersuchen, ob Konsum Värmland es gelungen ist diese erfolgreich seinen Mitgliedern sowie Kunden zu kommunizieren. Wir werden mit Hilfe eines theoretischen Rahmenmodells zeigen wie wertebasiertes Management ein exzellenter Ergebnismesser für gemeinsame Wertschaffung mit den Mitgliedern der Kooperative sein kann. Wir haben für diese empirische Analysis daher einen erzählerischen Ansatz gewählt. Die erzählerischen Schlussfolgerungen basieren auf Interviews, eigenen Beobachtungen sowie weiteren Daten welche wir aus Fachliteratur, Zeitungsartikeln and vorangegangener Forschung erhielten. Für dies Fallstudie haben wir uns entschieden vier Bereich der Wertschaffung zu untersuchen. Diese sind die Unternehmensgeschichte von Konsum Värmland, die beiden Handelsmarken Nästgård und Värmlandsgrisen, sowie deren Anpassung durch und Entwicklung von Konsum Värmland. Diese Bereiche geben dem Leser eine tiefere Einsicht in die strategische Wertschaffung von Konsum Värmland. In der Absicht im alltäglichen Einzelhandelsumfeld wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben, ist es für Unternehmen dabei wichtig, sich selbst von anderen zu differenzieren. Dieses gelang Konsum Värmland durch deren erfolgreiche Nutzung von in der Värmland-Region verankerten Werten. Diese Fallstudie zeigt wie sich modernes Konsumentendenken hinzu einer kooperativen Schöpfung gemeinschaftlicher Werte und Bedeutungen entwickelt. Dieses Kundendenken veranlasst uns zu der Schlussfolgerung, dass es in einer Wertbewerbsstrategie genutzt werden kann um Marktveränderung rechtzeitig zu erkennen und sich daran anzupassen. In dieser Studie können wir sehen wie lokal erzeugte Güter ethische Werte zu nutzen, was die Kunden wiederum dazu bewegt die Produkte zu kaufen, selbst wenn diese leicht teurer sind. Die Werte werden mittels der Handelsmarken Värmlandsgrisen und Nästgård kommuniziert, indem deren Erzeugnisse über eine wertebasierte Servicequalität angeboten werden. Wir haben dazu ein Model entwickelt, welches zeigt wie Vision, Organisation und die Wertschaffung auf einander abgestimmt sein müssen. Nur dann können Werte geschaffen werden, welche den nachhaltigen wirtschaftlichen Erfolg von Unternehmen fördern können.

Digitalisation and the phenomenon of digital transformation is rapidly and fundamentally changing existing businesses and organisations alike (Collin, 2015). Although considered a prime challenge for leaders of complex and changing organisations, research in the combined field of digitalisation and leadership however still remain scarce. As executives are tasked with the leading of digital transformation, this study aims to understand how digitalisation effects top management leadership. To achieve this, the study takes a two-folded approach by (1) outlining six characteristics of digitalisation and (2) analysing how these characteristics effect three contemporary forms of leadership: values-based, transformative and authentic leadership. Through a broad literature survey and 13 in-depth interviews with executives and organisational leaders, the study found that the six identified characteristics of digitalisation all effected the three forms of contemporary leadership. The different characteristics did not only change how the leaders practiced each of their leadership styles, but also how their leadership manifested itself through the use of various digital tools, methods and processes in order to enhance and empower their leadership. Even the sub-features of each leadership form were subject to this fundamental digital change. What was also found were three complementary perspectives when leading complex and changing organisations: the perspective of holism, virtuality and networked-based hubs. Each of these perspectives were premiered aspects to be considered as a contemporary leader.

ABSTRACT   Title:                 The dialogue of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility  Subtitle:            Based on entrepreneur’s values-based vision   Keywords:        Corporate governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Values-Based Service, Values, New Governance   Problem:          Scholars and the business world have often viewed CG and CSR as parallel. But because globalization and the existence of MNEs has weakened government control, NGOs and other stakeholders are pressuring MNEs for transparency, accountability and disclosure in their global activities which involve social, environmental and ethical dilemmas. Stakeholders are also pressuring companies for values resonance.        Purpose:           The purpose of this research is to assess the integration of corporate governance and CSR based on an entrepreneur’s values-based vision.   Methodology:  This exploratory research was conducted using a qualitative approach and the case study research method. Data collected included IKEA annual reports from 2003-2010 and external reports as well as information from relevant scientific articles and research books. A deductive approach was taken to analyze data through an interpretative procedure.    Conclusions:    The VBS of a company takes into consideration CSR and all resource integrators. However, CSR is not sufficient in itself to create a fully VBS company. There is need for CG principles to accomplish CSR strategies, goals and values that must be in resonance with other stakeholders’ values. Thus New Governance which is empowered by NGOs is a catalyst for the convergence and integration of CG and CSR in companies. We think that the business case of IKEA needs new governance to become a complete VBS.

The vast majority of earned agricultural dollars in Vermont come from the dairy industry, but with volatility in the market in recent years, including rising costs of feed and the fluctuating price of milk, state officials have begun to recommend diversification of farm activities to instill resiliency into the system. The research presented in this thesis explores two avenues for diversification, farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk and local beef production. The second chapter utilizes diffusion theory to understand the prevalence of raw milk consumption in Vermont, develop a profile of the raw milk consumer, document the motivations of raw milk consumers, and identify sources and channels of information for raw milk consumers. The results of a general population telephone survey indicate that 11.6% of those surveyed reported consuming raw milk and are on average educated, middle-aged, and middle-income earners in small households. Compared to US Census data, there are no demographic differences between raw milk consumers and the average Vermonter. Motivations for consumption include preference for raw milk's flavor, believed health benefits, and knowing or being a farmer. The primary sources of information are dairy farmers, friends, family, and co-workers. The primary channel through which information is obtained is person-to-person discussions. We conclude by discussing the implication of our findings on food protection trends and future research The third chapter investigates beef processing in the state and through the Agriculture of the Middle paradigm develops a firmographic profile of processors, identifies the frequency of use of a set of industry best practices and articulates the current opportunities and barriers to beef processing. The results of the firmographic profile show that most processors utilize both fee-for-service processing and buy-in processing and that each model is an equal percentage of revenue for business. Most processors indicated clearly demarcated busy and slow seasons with no change in the number of employees during these times and little change in operation capacity. Most processors are involved with some industry best practices and most had at least one anchor client to stabilize their operations. There are opportunities in marketing and opening up new markets but the seasonality, infrastructure and consistency of supply are and may remain a hindrance to this advancement. We conclude that there is little difference between models and that most farmers and processors are already in the stages of developing positive and equitable business relationships and that the future of beef production in Vermont is strong.

Doping violates the Spirit of Sport and is thought to contradict the values which underpin this spirit. Values-based education (VBE) has been cited as a key element for creating a clean sport culture across age groups. Culturally relevant VBE requires understanding of the values that motivate athletes from different countries to practice their sport and uphold clean sport values. WADA's new International Standards for Education makes this study both needed and timely. Overall, 1,225 athletes from Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, and the UK responded to measures assessing their general values, Spirit of Sport values, and their perceived importance of “clean sport”. MaxDiff analysis identified the most important values to participants based on their respective country of residence. Correlation analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between importance of clean sport and Spirit of Sport values. There were significant differences between participant nationality and their perceived importance of clean sport [F(4, 1,204) = 797.060, p < 0.000], the most important general values (p < 0.05), and Spirit of Sport values (p < 0.05). Moderate positive correlations were observed between the perceived importance of clean sport and honesty and ethics (r = 0.538, p < 0.005) and respecting the rules of sport (r = 0.507, p < 0.005). When designing the values-based component of anti-doping education programs, athletes' different value-priorities across countries should be considered.

In the face of the complexity and the urgency of the sustainability challenge, communication of sustainability to the public to motivate behaviour change is found to be an urgent concern. Communication based on appealing to the values of the audience is particularly powerful in addressing social and ecological concerns. Previous research has shown that there is a positive correlation between appealing to intrinsic values and motivation for sustainable behaviours, as opposed to activation of extrinsic values which might lead to the counter outcome. This research seeks to investigate how values-based communication for sustainability can be applied strategically within the third sector based on the activation of intrinsic values. The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) was used as a conceptual frame to enhance the contextualization of the topic and analyse the findings. Ten interviews were conducted with experts and practitioners in the field, aiming to capture the current application of the concept, the enablers, and barriers for implementing it as well as potential key factors for a successful and strategic practice of values-based communication. Interview findings indicated that a strategic approach is lacking when values-based communication is applied. Based on these findings, a set of recommendations were developed with the intention of serving practitioners and experts in the field. The primary aim of this study is to contribute to the enhancement of the strategic application of values-based communication for sustainability. / In this thesis it is discussed how values-based communication for sustainability can be applied strategically within the third sector, based on the activation of intrinsic values. Based on theoretical ground as well as the conducted research results a set of recommendations were developed with the intention of serving practitioners and experts in the field. The primary aim of this study is to contribute to enhancing the strategic application of values-based communication for sustainability.

Studien hade som syfte att studera hur ledare inom ett specifikt företag uppfattar sitt eget ledarskap vilket analyseras utifrån ett teoretiskt perspektiv om värdebaserat ledarskap. Syftet operationaliseras genom att behandla frågeställningarna hur företagets ledarna uppfattar sitt eget ledarskap utifrån ledarskapsmodellen på företaget samt hur värdebaserat ledarskap tar sig i uttryck på företaget. Studiens empiri samlades in genom kvalitativa, internetunderstödda, semistrukturerade intervjuer. Urvalet bestod av åtta ledare på företaget och var i första steget ett bekvämlighetsurval som transformerades till ett snöbollsurval. Företaget är en del av en global koncern inom persontransport där vi studerade verksamheten i Sverige. Intervjuerna transkriberades och materialet kodades utifrån temana egen uppfattning av ledarskap, ledarskapsmodellen generellt, specifika förmågor från ledarskapsmodellen och användningsområden för ledarskapsmodellen. Tematiseringen i resultat och analys utgick från studiens två frågeställningar. Resultatet visade att ledarnas egna uppfattningar om sitt ledarskap överensstämde i stort med egenskaperna i ledarskapsmodellen samt att värdebaserat ledarskap framförallt tar sig uttryck genom självutveckling och medarbetarsamtal. Empirin påvisade att ledarskapsmodellen påverkar beteenden hos ledarna eftersom respondenternas utsagor om sitt eget ledarskap härleds till egenskaperna i modellen. Värdebaserat ledarskap tar sig uttryck på företaget genom företagets ledarskapsmodell, ledarnas utsagor och hur de använder sig av modellen i olika kontexter. / The purpose of this study was to examine how leaders within a specific company perceive their own leadership, which is analyzed from a theoretical perspective on values-based leadership. The purpose is operationalized by addressing the issues of how the company's leaders perceive their own leadership based on the leadership model of the company and how values-based leadership manifests itself within the company. The study's empirical data were collected through qualitative, internet-supported, semi-structured interviews. The selection consisted of eight managers at the company and was in it’s first step a convenience sampling that transformed into a chain sampling. The company is part of a multinational corporate group active in the passenger transport industry where the study focused on the business in Sweden. The interviews were transcribed, and the material was coded on the basis of the managers perceptions of leadership, the leadership model in general, specific traits in the leadership model, and areas of use for the leadership model. The thematization of results and analysis was based on the study's two issues. The result showed that the managers own perceptions of their leadership were in line with the characteristics of the leadership model and that values-based leadership was expressed mainly through self-development and staff appraisal. The data demonstrated that the leadership model influences the behavior of leaders because leaders' statements about their own leadership are derived from the characteristics of the model. Values-based leadership is expressed by the company through the company's leadership model, leaders' statements and how they use the model in different contexts.

Joint appointments in the health sector in South Africa are made to serve both service and academic functions in one post. Typically the employing organisations are unequal, as one of them is the paying organisation while the other is the academic employer. This practice has been in existence for decades, and is ruled by expediency rather than being based on values. Joint employees experience role confusion, job confusion, dual loyalty confusion and being managed according to the rules of two organisations. This suboptimal situation leads to lower-than-expected performance in the eyes of both employing organisations. In this study the knowledge and problem areas of joint appointments were explored. The first part of the study consisted of a questionnaire analysis of the knowledge and view of problems as expressed by joint staff as well as by human resources (HR) practitioners. Group discussions, as well as the major part of the study, namely, interviews with senior management staff of both organisations were then conducted. In order to complete the study, an analysis was made of values that might inform on the problem. Joint staff members were found to have limited knowledge of the work requirements of a joint employee, and expressed concern about loyalty and role confusion. When the values were discussed with senior management staff, some values were identified as informing on possible solutions such as joint establishment of vision, joint objectives, respect for all components of the job, as well as generic values, including honesty, transparency, fairness, diversity and others. A framework is suggested commenting on the potential place for a values-based approach. From this a model is proposed by means of which a values-based process can be initiated by a top-level agreement meeting (“meeting of the minds”) of both employers that may lead to a single joint vision and set of objectives. From this agreement a policymaking joint body can establish the rules, while application and implementation are monitored by local joint management committees. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

Doping has serious negative consequences for athletes and the integrity of sports, implying the need for effective prevention programs. Since educating young athletes about doping-related knowledge is deemed to be not sufficiently effective to minimize doping, a focus on values, emotions and morality is seen as a promising approach and previous research indicates which variables exactly could be addressed in anti-doping efforts. These variables are anticipated guilt, empathy, moral disengagement, and collective moral norms, since these constructs have been strongly and consistently linked to doping intention, likelihood, or behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a values-based anti-doping intervention, which targets the aforementioned variables, and to evaluate its effectiveness in producing changes in outcomes in comparison to an information-based intervention and a waiting control group. To evaluate their effectiveness, both interventions, which each consist of six 45-min sessions (one session per week) were implemented in a sample of 321 young elite athletes, aged 13–19 years, from a broad range of team and individual sports. Thirty different teams, training groups or classes were randomly assigned to either the values-based intervention, the information-based intervention, or to a waiting control group. Doping intention, doping susceptibility as well as the above mentioned variables were assessed at pre- and posttest and, for participants of the values- and information-based conditions also at a 3 to 4-month follow up. Within a multilevel modeling framework general linear mixed regression analyses revealed that the values-based intervention, compared to the control group, was able to decrease athletes' moral disengagement and increase their anticipated guilt immediately after the intervention (at posttest), whereas no effects for the information-based intervention emerged. Looking at how the outcomes developed over time (i.e., at the follow up measurement), it could be demonstrated that the reduction in moral disengagement sustained. The increase in anticipated guilt, however, was not sustainable and, surprisingly, decreased from post to follow up. Furthermore, athletes in the values-based intervention reported higher empathy from post to follow up, which could possibly indicate a “delayed” effect. This study provides support that a values-based approach can produce changes in some, yet, not all addressed variables and specific elements from this intervention could potentially be a useful addition to traditional anti-doping education (i.e., information provision).