Swedish sustainability through a Zhang and London lens

Author(s):  
Lars Lindbergh ◽  
Mattias Jacobsson ◽  
Timothy L. Wilson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe how sustainable development has been initiated in a country (Sweden) in which sustainable development has priority and has produced observable results – essentially, the definition and reshaping of contents (p. 107) referred to in the Zhang and London (ZL) paper, therefore adding some validity to the model. Design/methodology/approach The research is both exploratory and qualitative in nature and uses an in-depth case study approach to the Swedish international economy as might be reflected by ZL’s modified Porter model. Information drawn from current secondary sources is complemented by personal contemporaneous observations of individuals in the country of interest. Findings The task of implementing Sweden’s strategy for sustainable development is holistic, and the State has played a major role in its development. That is, sustainability is the responsibility of the Government Offices as a whole, which produces proactive programs in each of the interactions analyzed in the ZL modified model. As an aside, the country has sustained a high level of competitiveness while producing a pleasant environment in which to live. Research limitations/implications Limitations in the study follow the same criticisms made of Porter’ seminal treatment – (still) lack of a formal model construction (although ZL make a meaningful contribution), (still) lack of clear definitions (although ZL make a meaningful contribution), problematic research methodology (although an attempt has been made at improvement) and lack of empirical testing among others (and it is thought that this paper is a step in the right direction). Practical implications Insofar as Sweden might be a model for other countries interested in extending their efforts in sustainable development, observations here provide some insights into possible approaches and results. Originality/value The approach basically followed Siggelkow’s (2007) definition of the use of cases as illustrations, which is useful when the underlying development depends upon constructs. It follows that the association of real-world observations with theory well serves the underlying foundation and cannot help but build credibility of those concepts and theory.

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwok Wai Ma

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the issues relating to sustainable development (SD) in the context of indigenous village development in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach is used in this research. In addition to literature review, qualitative data, primarily collected through personal interviews with various stakeholders were the main source of input. Findings – The Small House Policy (SHP) case illustrates an unsustainable policy. It underscores the interrelatedness among the relevant systems – social/cultural, economic, political and environmental – in the context of SD. In the short term, the government can at least expedite the construction of sewage facilities for the villages. Furthermore, the government can consider elevating the penalty and tightening policing/patrolling in village environs to discourage the illegal sale of “ding” rights and small houses. In the longer term, the government needs to put the rural area in order. Identifying means to zone planning would be a possible direction on this front. Originality/value – Through examining the case of SHP relating to the indigenous villages in Hong Kong, the complexity of SD is thoroughly revealed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-238
Author(s):  
Anna Ericson Öberg ◽  
Peter Hammersberg ◽  
Anders Fundin

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify factors influencing implementation of control charts on key performance indicators (KPIs). Design/methodology/approach Factors driving organizational change described in literature are analyzed inspired by the affinity-interrelationship method. A holistic multiple-case design is used to conduct six workshops to affect the usage of control charts on KPIs at a global company in the automotive industry. The theoretical factors are compared with the result from the case study. Findings The important factors for implementation success differ to some extent between the theoretical and empirical studies. High-level commitment and a clear definition of the goal of change could be most important when creating a motivation for change. Thereafter, having a dedicated change agent, choosing an important KPI and being able to describe the gain in financial terms becomes more important. Practical implications By using control charts on KPIs, the organization in the case study has become more proactive, addressing the right issues upstream in the process, in the right way, cross-functionally. Originality/value Factors affecting the implementation of already available solutions in the industry are highlighted. This potentially provides a basis for improved decision making, which has a significant value.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 635-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaffa Moskovich ◽  
Adi Binhas

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the NGOs in the immigration field as a counterculture working simultaneously with and against the establishment. Design/methodology/approach – Case study approach using interviews and documents analysis. Findings – This paper studies the cultural features of three civil associations, interested in promoting social welfare for immigrants. These NGOs challenge the Israeli government when it violates human rights. This conflict takes place in the courts, the Knesset (parliament), governmental agencies, the media, and sometimes in the streets. The three NGOs use a variety of political strategies: both collaborating with governmental agencies, while simultaneously fighting against the government authorities. The cultural features of the immigrant NGOs are primarily left-wing, with socialist principles. The organizational culture of this association can be identified as a counterculture, opposing the dominant Israeli right-wing capitalist culture. Practical implications – This research can demonstrate how NGOs can use tactics to achieve a high level of success for the underprivileged population. Originality/value – This case study is unusual in that it suggests the NGOs are a sophisticated counterculture, with activists knowing how to operate concurrently with and against official authorities. The duality of the political cultural behavior of the NGOs’ social movement is a notable phenomenon of counterculture in the political arena and expands the definition of counterculture.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihong Zhou ◽  
Longqi Chen ◽  
Yingying Han

PurposeThe provision of high-quality e-Government services requires efficient and collaborative sharing of data across varied types of government agencies. However, interagency government data sharing (IDS) is not always spontaneous, active and unconditional. Adopting a stickiness theory, this paper reports on a research study, which explores the causes of data stickiness in IDS.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed an inductive case study approach. Twenty-three officials from the government of City M in Hubei Province, Central China, were approached and interviewed using a semi-structured question script.FindingsThe analysis of the interview data pointed to 27 causes of data stickiness in five main themes: data sharing willingness; data sharing ability; data articulatability; data residence; and data absorptive capacity. The analysis revealed that interagency tensions and lack of preparedness of individual agencies are the main causes of data stickiness in IDS.Originality/valueThe case setting is based on China's Government, but the findings offer useful insights and indications that can be shared across international borders.


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Darshan Kumar ◽  
Mark Eshwar Lokanan

Purpose This paper aims to advance the professional knowledge, experience and expertise of anti-money laundering (AML) professionals by focusing on how money laundering (ML) impacts a variety of financial institutions (FIs) and in what ways the FIs can retaliate to detect, prevent and mitigate the risk of ML. Design/methodology/approach This paper use data from secondary sources. Many FI cases have been included such as a bank money service business (MSB) and insurance companies. Findings There should be a culture of compliance in organizations. Upper management, such as a designated committee or board members, should set the tone of compliance. Money launderers take advantage of every possible opportunity to convert illicit proceeds into clean proceeds with any institution or profession. Originality/value This paper used a case study approach to study the nuances of money laundering activities in various jurisdictions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-702
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdelnaby Ahmed Diab

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide a political explanation of management, accounting and control (MAC) practices in a traditional and unstable African setting. This was done by exploring the influence of latest revolutionary politics in Egypt along with labour dynamics in the context. Design/methodology/approach Theoretically, the study uses the institutional logics perspective to understand the effects of higher order institutions on corporate management and workers at the micro level. Methodologically, the study adopts an interpretative case study approach. Data were collected using a triangulation of interviews, documents and observations. Findings The study finds that volatile political settings can have different contradictory implications for MAC practices. It also concludes that revolutionary events play a central role not only in the configuration of MAC practices but also in the mobilisation of labour resistance to these practices. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by investigating the different appearances of MAC practices in a volatile, political or revolutionary context, in contrast to highly investigated stabilised Western contexts. This broadens the definition of the social in the area of accounting and control.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Börje Boers ◽  
Thomas Andersson

PurposeThis article aims to increase the understanding of the role of individual actors and arenas in dealing with multiple institutional logics in family firms.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows a case-study approach of two family-owned newspaper companies. Based on interviews and secondary sources, the empirical material was analysed focussing on three institutional logics, that is, family logic, management logic and journalistic logic.FindingsFirst, the authors show how and in which arenas competing logics are balanced in family-owned newspaper companies. Second, the authors highlight that family owners are central actors in the process of balancing different institutional logics. Further, they analyse how family members can become hybrid owner-managers, meaning that they have access to all institutional logics and become central actors in the balancing process.Originality/valueThe authors reveal how multiple institutional logics are balanced in family firms by including formal actors and arenas as additional lenses. Therefore, owning family members, especially hybrid owner-managers, are the best-suited individual actors to balance competing logics. Hybrid owner-managers are members of the owner families who are also skilled in one or several professions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Bindu Kulkarni ◽  
Vasant Sivaraman

Purpose This paper aims to understand how organizations can apply the Blue Ocean Shift process to achieve profitable growth and make competition irrelevant. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a case study approach. Based on interaction with the senior management of an organization and secondary sources, this paper presents an application of the Blue Ocean Shift process on a strategic move by an organization to achieve value innovation. Findings This paper presents a case of how Tata Motors Ltd. applied Blue Ocean Shift process to come up with the product Tata Ace, which achieved value innovation while making competition irrelevant. From assessing the current state of play to forming a motivated team, working with suppliers and fulfilling the needs of the non-customers and unhappy existing users, they were able to create a strong position for themselves. Practical implications Blue Ocean Strategy, through a process defined as Blue Ocean Shift, can be applied by organizations to achieve value innovation, change market boundaries and achieve profitable growth through their strategic offerings. It can help them get out of “red oceans” which may be a way to view the existing hypercompetitive world. Originality/value This paper contributes to the application of the Blue Ocean Shift process in the Indian context while studying a strategic move of an Indian firm. It showcases an example of how large Indian organizations can successfully apply the process to achieve value innovation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-361
Author(s):  
Tuhin Sengupta ◽  
Arunava Ghosh

Synopsis In May 2016, Sarita Digumarti, Chief Operating Officer of Jigsaw Academy in Bengaluru, India, faced a challenging situation. Jigsaw Academy provided online courses in data analytics and Big Data at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels for students as well as working professionals. It was perceived that plenty of students from premier institutions in India had a high level of theoretical knowledge about the process involved in number crunching and data analysis; however, the hands-on experience on actual business problems or actual data sets was a major limitation with these students. Given the rapid growth of the analytics sector and the limited number of academic institutions offering analytics courses, there was a lack of availability of the right skills in the analytics market. Jigsaw Academy seized this opportunity and started offering relevant courses. All efforts were made to enhance the number of students enrolling for the courses, which in turn resulted in improving its customer base. Realizing the demand of industries for employees skilled in the analytics sector, Jigsaw Academy wanted to grow its brand equity and to achieve this through business to business (B2B) collaborations and/or alliances. However, expansion through B2B has its own challenges. Given the competitive landscape of analytics market, Jigsaw Academy was wondering whether they should opt for B2B channel, and if yes, the question was related to the process of choosing potential B2B partners. Research methodology The authors have collected the data from primary sources as well as secondary sources. Primary sources include field visits and audio-recorded interviews conducted with key departmental heads in the organization. Secondary sources include data retrieved from the company website and the relevant information available about the industry with the assistance of the internet. Except the founder’s name, all other names are disguised to protect the individual’s privacy as per instructions from the founders of Jigsaw Academy. Relevant courses and levels This case can be used at the graduate or MBA level in courses such as entrepreneurship, sales and distribution management, strategic alliances and mergers.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uud Wahyudin ◽  
Agrian Ratu Randa ◽  
Kismiyati El Karimah ◽  
Imelia Martinovita Santoso

Purpose This paper aims to find out what causes differences in understanding the concept of halal tourism between the government and stakeholders, which results in the slow development of halal tourism and the emergence of doubts for stakeholders who want to be part of halal tourism in Bandung. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative research method, and then the results presented the Fishbone Diagram (Cause and Effect) of halal tourism concept in the City of Bandung. A case study approach is in accordance with the Bandung City branding as the halal tourism destination in Indonesia. The informants are the halal tourism stakeholders, consumers, the government and the tourism community. Findings Even though the level of Muslim tourist's arrival in Bandung has always been increasing, what was proclaimed by the government is unclear related to the halal tourism concept. The ambiguity of the halal tourism concept spread in Bandung impacts the absence of clear standardization of supporting facilities and accommodation and the emergence of anxiety and mistrust of stakeholders in applying the halal concept into their tourism business in Bandung. Research limitations/implications This study was only conducted in Bandung City, Indonesia; hence, it lacks generality. Accordingly, future studies can expand to several potential halal tourism cities in Indonesia and halal tourists outside Bandung as informants. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first practical paper that provides a detailed and comprehensive description of the different concepts of halal tourism in the city of Bandung.


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