Mittuniversitetet

The aim is to explore what sustainability values entrepreneurs in nature-based businesses highlight in their online communications with stakeholders. What kind of sustainability value is communicated online to the stakeholders of nature-based businesses in Sweden? Is there a difference in what sustainability information nature-based businesses from different categories focus on? The study was conducted using a qualitative approach. Data were collected from 100 nature-based businesses in Sweden. The selected companies belong to these industries: agriculture, food producers, forestry, garden, and contract work. Data were collected from secondary sources, such as websites, printed materials, and annual reports. The results show that there are differences between the different categories of companies, and the companies are grouped into two types. The practical implication is that nature-based businesses should use environmental sustainability as a marketing tool to gain even more customers. Customers today are increasingly aware of and interested in sustainability issues.

Purpose: This study examines the transformative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on entrepreneurial education during and after the pandemic. Methodology: Using action research-based case study with a mixed data collection method, that spans pre-, during, and post-COVID-19. Data collection involved class discussions in a final mandatory class, surveys sent after the end of the class, and official course evaluations. Findings: The pandemic-induced changes highlighted that extended instructional timeframes do not necessarily yield better entrepreneurial outcomes. A condensed, immersive approach fostered innovation and improved entrepreneurial mindsets. The hybrid teaching model introduced by the pandemic enriched class demographics, offering a broader spectrum of perspectives and enhancing discussions. Implications: The shift to digital and hybrid teaching models brought diverse student profiles, which, when appropriately harnessed, can enrich classroom discussions and peer learning. Future research should delve deeper into the motivations of distinct student groups and the long-term effects of current teaching strategies on entrepreneurial endeavors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore and gain a greater understanding of women's entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic. How have women entrepreneurs changed their entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic? What dimensions are highlighted by women entrepreneurs for a sustainable entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic? Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted with a qualitative design where multiple case studies were conducted with 30 women. Data were collected through qualitative interviews with the women entrepreneurs in Asia and Europe. Findings: The results from this study show that women entrepreneurs have mainly focused on financial resources. Economic sustainability is required for companies to survive a crisis in the form of a pandemic. This study has shown what lessons women have from the pandemic where the four D’s model constitute a first step to a theoretical contribution. For women, it is about dollars (e g economic sustainability), demand from customers, the role that digitization has played and distribution both to customers and from suppliers. Practical implications: Practical implications from this study are that women entrepreneurs need to be prepared for economic crises to a larger extent. The economic sustainability plays a key role in sustainable businesses for women entrepreneurs in any kind of context. Social implications: Women's entrepreneurship looks different, and more knowledge is needed about their conditions. It contributes to increased social sustainability. Originality/value: This study contributes to an increased understanding of how women's entrepreneurship has been affected during a global crisis. 

In this book, we take stock and reflect on what roles might be created to enable a sustainable economy. Sensitivity to corporate social responsibility, and ideas, agendas, principles, practices, and arrangements of sustainability are areas that require creating new roles and entrepreneurial approaches. We address emerging roles of existing businesses, markets, approaches, and practices for a sustainable economy. The first part deals with digitalization, green businesses, and sustainability, then we discuss social entrepreneurship and the role of SMEs in different sectors, and finally we end with the key organizational challenges in achieving sustainable development and how these might be overcome.

Large-scale industrial parks play a vital role in regional development in rural areas. Currently, there is a significant trend of industry parks. Highly qualified staff is needed, leading to an inflow of employees often from abroad. A major challenge for these industrial parks is finding qualified personnel. Part of the solution is to collaborate with existing educational systems at various levels within the region to create long-term solutions for workforce development. The purpose is to examine how rural regions are working with educational institutions to address the need for skilled labor in a sustainable and long-term manner. Five geographical areas with established industry parks were identified, in rural areas in Europe. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with municipal officials and representatives from large-scale industries. The results show that collaboration should begin as early as preschool. As children grow older, these partnerships should deepen to foster interest in the industrial park’s activities from a young age. Preschools organize field trips so they can participate in activities to spark interest in engineering. Deeper collaborations occur at the high school, vocational college and university levels. High school programs make schedule adjustments during breaks to accommodate peak work periods. Vocational colleges design programs tailored to the region’s needs. Additionally, schools have adapted their language to accommodate children whose parents work at the industrial park, enabling families to relocate. Finally, there are partnerships like internship opportunities within university programs. There are also strategic initiatives to bring expertise from universities to the industrial parks for collaborations.

The purpose of the study is to contribute to an increased understanding of different SDGs in some regions and local communities in Sweden. The aim of the study is also to create an increase in our understanding of the SDGs by comparing communities with different structures and results. The framework consists of sustainable development, Agenda 2030, the stakeholder model, legitimacy theory, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The study has been carried out with a qualitative method and an abductive approach. Semi-structured interviews were also used to collect some of the data material. Furthermore, the study has also been based upon official statistics concerning 16 local communities as well as three regions in Sweden. We have limited the study to some comparable data representing the recent situation on two levels, i.e., representing different regions as well as local communities. Our main aim is to analyze the different outcomes in these regions and local communities. A limited number of SDGs has been used together with a few numbers of interviews in three of these local communities. In total we have analyzed five of these interviews. Secondly, we have analyzed the official data for different SDGs in Sweden. Here we have used the latest public data for some of the SDGs, both for three regions as well as for sixteen local communities within these regions. Therefore, the results are based upon comparisons of the work in these local communities as well as three regions in Sweden. Furthermore, we have limited our comparisons to six of the 17 SDGn for the regions as well as five for the local communities. The SDGs we compare in our study are no poverty, the life-span of women and men in different communities, the number of individuals which have post-secondary education higher than ordinary school, to what extent the broadband has been developed and finally the number of individuals born outside Sweden. Our main focus is to compare the regions as well as the local communities. Finally, we have made some conclusions which we see as being of great importance for how to proceed in the future to increase our understanding of how one could improve the use of Agenda 2030 and its SDGs.

Outdoor Hub is a store in a tourist destination located in the suburbs of the well-known and popular tourist destination of Åre, Sweden. This study discusses how the store is affected by its status as a shadow destination of Duved (outside the hotspot of Åre). Shadow destination was first mentioned in 2003 by Hudman and Jackson and is a destination located in the ‘shadow’ of another. The other destination is often a famous one that many tourists prefer, which makes it difficult for nearby places to attract tourists. Outdoor Hub’s greatest challenge is attracting customers, as they are located outside the hotspot of the well-known tourist destination; however, it can also benefit from its location in the shadow of a prominent tourist spot. This case gives students a better understanding of how a company located on the outskirts of the main tourist destination can direct its business proposition towards existing and new customers. The study shows the students the company’s strengths and problems. It also discusses how the company can create long-term relationships with other tourist actors at the destination. Furthermore, the issues of segmentation, marketing and the role of tourist information in the store are raised.