Mid Sweden University

This book explores the symbiotic relationship between the global business landscape and the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in 2015. Highlighting the world's paramount challenges, from climate change to gender equality, it emphasizes our collective stride towards sustainability. The narrative is structured around 17 in-depth case studies that span a plethora of industries, from food and finance to energy and transportation, each exploring an individual SDG. These studies provide a window into how trailblazing companies are intricately embedding the SDGs into their operational blueprints. This volume will be a valuable guide to sustainable business models and practices, fostering a clarion call for students, practitioners, and policymakers to rally towards a greener, brighter future.

The aim is to explore how agricultural entrepreneurs are innovative and generate newbusiness opportunities, particularly by transforming their farms into tourism experiences. The study was conducted as a qualitative multiple case study with eight caseswithin agricultural industries in Europe. Data were collected through observations, interviews and documentary studies. A conclusion is that co-creation with customersdrives business development forward. By involving customers in the value co-creationprocess, new solutions and ideas for selling products as well as services emerge. Implications include the need for enterprises to diversify themselves from their competitorsand try to find their own uniqueness.

Europe is undergoing a green transition, while large industrial parks are simultaneously being established. Large industry parks are important contributions to regional development, especially in rural regions. In Asia, large industrial parks have emerged quickly during the past 20 years, but it is only now that a similar development is occurring in rural Europe. Many of the industrial parks are placed in rural areas, where there is access to cheap land and green energy. It is often about the rural region needing economic growth and jobs. The aim is to explore what challenges and opportunities that industrial parks in rural Europe have experienced concerning competence supply. The study was designed as a casestudy where five rural areas in Europe was chosen. Data was collected by semi-structured interviews, secondary data and observations. The results shows that competence supply presents a significant challenge. Many companies highlight that offering a good workplace leads to positive word-of-mouth, attracting more individuals to work for them. This has proven particularly successful for establishments where English has been the primary language used. The municipality must think strategically aboutcompetence building. Not only in terms of acquiring the right skills for the industry but for retaining the local population. In rural municipalities, especially young women, move away from the area, mainly during their university studies. If there are no attractive job opportunities in the municipality, so that the young people who have moved away choose to return, they are usually gone for good.

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.

This is a study of industrial parks in Europe and their impact on the places where they are established. The European Union's strategy, the Green Deal, is pushing the green transition in Europe, and large-scale industrial parks are being established in territorial regions in the name of this transition. The aim of this chapter is to explore the challenges and opportunities with industrial parks from the perspective of sustainable territorial development. The study was conducted as a case study where five territorial areas in Europe (located in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia and Italy) were studied. Data collection was conducted with semi-structured interviews, internet sources, and on-site observations. The results show the importance of communication and interaction between the stakeholders. Another result is that culture and language play a significant role in this process. Moreover, when building sustainable communities, well-functioning infrastructure and good services are essential. This study contributes to knowledge about challenges and opportunities when establishing industrial parks. Both managers and officials from municipalities can benefit from this study.

The purpose of this study is to examine how transitions from higher vocational education (YH) to university studies can contribute to sustainable societal development. Specifically, the study explores how this educational pathway influences individual competence development, broadens access to higher education, and strengthens the capacity to promote a sustainable working life. The research was conducted as a qualitative multiple case study in Sweden and Norway. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with representatives from vocational education providers and governmental agencies. Additional data were collected from secondary sources, including written reports, official websites, and public inquiries. This methodological approach was selected to capture diverse perspectives and contextual differences across national settings, and to investigate how institutional practices and policies influence the transition from vocational to university-level education in the context of sustainable development. A thematic analysis of the interview data was subsequently conducted. A key finding of the study is that there are national differences and only a few universities in Sweden currently offer structured opportunities for further studies to graduates of YH programs. Nevertheless, there are notable examples of successful collaboration between vocational education providers and universities. The findings suggest that the closer and more institutionalized the cooperation between these two sectors, the easier it becomes to create viable and effective transition pathways. These transitions enable individuals with vocational training to deepen their practical expertise through theoretical and research based knowledge. Moreover, transitional pathways increase accessibility for non-traditional learners, including those without the formal qualifications typically required for university admission. This contributes to social equity and inclusion—central pillars of social sustainability. An educational system that fosters collaboration between YH and universities contributes to building a more adaptive and resilient society. It facilitates career mobility and allows individuals to respond to changing labour market demands without the need to restart their educational journey from the beginning. The university’s emphasis on research, theoretical frameworks, and critical thinking complements the hands-on, practice-oriented nature of vocational education. Learners transitioning from YH touniversity often bring valuable work experience, which can enrich academic environments and foster more applied research and innovation. Together, these synergies support a lifelong learning system capable of addressing the evolving demands of sustainable development.