Strategic Integration of Sustainable Development Goals in Manufacturing Multinational Enterprises in Sweden.: A Qualitative Case study on Swedish Multinational Enterprises
2025 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Adoption of sustainability practices becomes a necessity for business survival and long-term value creation. Therefore, the authors are interested in studying how Swedish manufacturing multinational enterprises use sustainable development goals as corporate strategy within the business. This study mainly covers theories and frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals Framework, Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Resource-Based View (RBV), and Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV). This research applies a qualitative, multiple-case study method, and data was collected using in-depth interviews. Mainly the study was conducted using three case companies, and participants are industry leaders who are directly responsible for sustainability practices in Swedish multinational enterprises. Based on the individual and cross-case comparison, it has been found that these companies are strategically integrating sustainable development goals into corporate strategies, including circular product design and life cycle extension, decarburization and green logistics, integration with environmental frameworks, sustainable innovations, circular procurement, brand positioning and data-driven sustainability. Further from adopting SDG-driven corporate strategies, companies are able to enhance stakeholder trust, operational efficiency, employee motivation and business growth. In this process companies are struggling with liability of foreignness, high costs, regulatory complexities, and balancing sustainability with profitability and effective partnerships with relevant stakeholders. This study not only adds to academic discussions on the strategic integration of SDGs but also offers useful insights for business leaders and policymakers working to support sustainable development in the manufacturing sector.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025. , p. 93
Keywords [en]
Sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals, Corporate strategy, Manufacturing Multinational Enterprises
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-56243OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-56243DiVA, id: diva2:1965184
Educational program
Master's Programme in Strategic Entrepreneurship for International Growth, 120 credits
Presentation
2025-05-27, room 5105, Halmstad University, Halmstad, 13:15 (English)
Supervisors
Examiners
2025-06-092025-06-072025-10-01Bibliographically approved