To Örebro University

This paper explores the concept of value-in-non-use within industrial business networks, emphasizing the importance of stewardship in managing natural resources and ecosystems. Traditional theories in industrial networks often link resource value to their use in relation to other resources. However, this paper argues that some resources possess intrinsic value in their non-use, which is crucial for sustainability. By examining the relational ontology of resources, the paper proposes a framework for understanding and incorporating non-use values into business network analyses. This approach aims to protect resources from overexploitation while still allowing for economic interactions. The concept of network stewardship is introduced, advocating for institutional arrangements that recognize and preserve the non-use value of resources, thereby contributing to sustainable industrial practices.

This article extends the exploration of potential futures as envisioned in science fiction (SF) literature by analyzing how emerging trends are portrayed through a structured analytical framework. Specifically, it examines award-winning SF novels, focusing on political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental (PESTLE) dimensions as imagined by prominent authors within the genre. Thus, the purpose of the article is to provide an overview of emerging trends and tendencies within imagined futures as depicted in acclaimed SF literature, framed through the lens of PESTLE analysis. To this end, four future scenarios were extrapolated from a selection of 42 novels that have either won or been nominated for major SF awards-the Nebula and the Hugo. These scenarios are: Solar System Expansion, Cyber High-Tech Future, Post-Contraction Society, and Dystopian Future. Each scenario is assessed according to its political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental characteristics.

The transition to a circular economy (CE) is increasingly recognized as a strategic priority for companies striving for more sustainable business operations. Previous CE research adopted different firm-level strategy perspectives with varying degrees of alignment to the management literature. However, scholars have struggled to combine these perspectives in ways that effectively guide firms' transitions towards a CE. This study aims to unpack the CE strategy concept and examine it as a system of interconnected perspectives. First, drawing on the existing literature, we propose a nuanced framework that distinguishes between CE design, innovation and organizational strategies. Second, using empirical data from the Swedish wood construction industry, we analyse CE strategies as distinct configurations by applying configuration theory and a configurational approach. Through fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), we identify four firm-level configurations that demonstrate different design efforts to achieve high levels of circularity. These configurations are enabled by specific innovation strategies and organizational capabilities within companies. Our findings offer valuable contributions to CE research and provide actionable insights for managerial practices.

The pursuit of growth is a key endeavor of all types of firms, but it is particularly important for SMEs. From a managerial perspective, growing SMEs face a wide range of challenges; this study proposes a broad framework that emphasizes not only the various types of managerial challenges, but also the importance of taking a balanced, broad approach to facing them. In a qualitative study of 44 Swedish SMEs, the researchers identify, map, and aggregate distinct challenges to SME growth, proposing three overarching themes - business model, leadership, and people. Multiple lower-level categories and individual challenges make up each of these themes suggesting that firms that seek to excel in growth should be aware of and manage all three themes in a balanced manner. This research provides insights into each theme and potential consequences for SMEs; it also offers an overarching, integrative perspective on SME growth challenges opening future research avenues.

The sharing economy, which is considered a better way of utilizing existing resources, is associated with positive effects not only on the financial aspects of sustainability but also on its environmental and social dimensions. But is this true? Previous research has typically discussed either the positive or negative aspects of the sharing business model in specific contexts. This study adopts a dual perspective regarding the sustainability of sharing business models by critically analyzing the relationship between sharing business models and sustainability. Building on the resource-based view of the firm and practice theory, the current research develops a conceptual framework for evaluating the sustainability of sharing business models at the level of the individual, the firm, and society. Our proposed dual-process model suggests that two competing processes contribute to sustainability. The study's conceptual model and propositions advance theory and provide a research agenda for future empirical studies. This research also provides valuable guidance to managers and policymakers regarding the sustainability of sharing business models, which can inform the business model innovation process.

The rapid commercialization, diffusion, and adoption of low-carbon innovation will have a pivotal role to play on the path to net-zero emissions globally. Therefore, in the context of climate-change mitigation and decarbonization, it is no surprise that we can observe an inherently optimistic view on the prospects of low-carbon innovation among scholars, specifically in the research domains of innovation management and sustainability transitions. Yet, simply taking for granted that innovation-led decarbonization processes universally will produce beneficial outcomes for society runs the risk of neglecting potential adverse effects or negative consequences that might accompany the deployment of these technologies. Therefore, knowledge of the dark sides of low-carbon innovation is crucial for developing policies and innovation-management strategies that enable truly economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable net-zero transitions. Through a systemic literature review, this study systematizes the extant research on the topic and proposes a typology of negative consequences of low-carbon innovations: (1) Jevons Paradox, (2) social consequences and cultural barriers, (3) economic consequences, and (4) environmental consequences and problem-shifting effects. Based on these categories, we put forward a research agenda with key priorities for future research.

There is a growing call for more network-level research on sustainability within marketing that avoids a narrow interorganisational focus. Business networks have a crucial role to play in reorganising and innovating to achieve sustainability and are met with significant challenges because of the scale and scope of changes necessary. We propose connectedness as central to understanding networked, interorganisational responses to the sustainability shift. We contribute by highlighting how systemic interdependence across organisations, which is developed through business network connectedness, is core to achieving sustainable networks and sustainable markets. The text provides an overview of current research on sustainability in business networks before synthesizing six new articles that address multiple sustainability challenges. The editorial concludes with an agenda for further research arranged around four main themes, including network dynamics and measuring and valuing in investigating the transformative change needed by all business sectors.

This study explores the future of Sweden's electric utility network and its transition towards sustainability and resilience by combining traditional scenario analysis with foresighting, an anticipatory, non-predictive approach. The research focuses on potential disruptive innovations and changes within the industry, such as increased electrification, electromobility, and advances in grid infrastructure, using a Delphi study. This approach involves gathering expert opinions from various stakeholders, including industry, academia, and government experts, to anticipate multiple future scenarios and better prepare for potential challenges and opportunities. The interconnected nature of the electric utility network and the relationships between various actors play a critical role in shaping the industry's future. Foresighting allows stakeholders to anticipate and prepare for disruptive changes, such as the increasing role of prosumers, local microgrids, and novel value propositions. By employing the Delphi methodology, the study systematically gathers and synthesizes expert insights, offering a comprehensive understanding of the electric utility network's future development. The findings highlight the importance of improving end-customer relationships and enabling the use of prosumer products and services. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need to address existing challenges within the Swedish power grid and increase transmission capacity to support the introduction of new technologies and a more efficient and sustainable energy system. By integrating the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) network perspective, the study demonstrates that foresighting is more effective in accounting for exceptional events and non-linear growth patterns in the electric utility market. The results also provide insights into the emergence of new business models and the role of emerging technologies, such as energy storage, in shaping the future of the electric utility network.