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Do not steel our identities! Industry, identity, and its implications for a green steel transition in Oxelösund, Sweden

Malmberg, Sanne LU (2024) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20241
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
To achieve established climate objectives, Sweden must effectively target its carbon-intensive steel industry. This study offers a social perspective on the Swedish steel industry's decarbonization, exploring how workers’ identities shape their experience of the transition. Social identity theory is utilised to explore what elements shape steelworkers’ collective and occupational identities in the context of Oxelösund’s steel industry. Through semi-structured interviews with white- and blue-collar workers, retired and non-retired, the study investigates how structural changes have reshaped workers´ identities and how identity shapes workers' perceptions of the transition. The study reveals blue-collar workers experiencing their collective... (More)
To achieve established climate objectives, Sweden must effectively target its carbon-intensive steel industry. This study offers a social perspective on the Swedish steel industry's decarbonization, exploring how workers’ identities shape their experience of the transition. Social identity theory is utilised to explore what elements shape steelworkers’ collective and occupational identities in the context of Oxelösund’s steel industry. Through semi-structured interviews with white- and blue-collar workers, retired and non-retired, the study investigates how structural changes have reshaped workers´ identities and how identity shapes workers' perceptions of the transition. The study reveals blue-collar workers experiencing their collective and occupational identities diminishing, influencing their attitudes towards the transition and their ability to cope with change. This thesis proposes that workers’ identities could have a dual role towards the green steel transition in either supporting or opposing it. Finally, the study highlights the need to further consider workers’ identities in green steel transitions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Malmberg, Sanne LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Social identity, high-carbon communities, steel industry, decarbonization, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2024:015
language
English
id
9153970
date added to LUP
2024-05-27 10:11:04
date last changed
2024-05-27 10:11:04
@misc{9153970,
  abstract     = {{To achieve established climate objectives, Sweden must effectively target its carbon-intensive steel industry. This study offers a social perspective on the Swedish steel industry's decarbonization, exploring how workers’ identities shape their experience of the transition. Social identity theory is utilised to explore what elements shape steelworkers’ collective and occupational identities in the context of Oxelösund’s steel industry. Through semi-structured interviews with white- and blue-collar workers, retired and non-retired, the study investigates how structural changes have reshaped workers´ identities and how identity shapes workers' perceptions of the transition. The study reveals blue-collar workers experiencing their collective and occupational identities diminishing, influencing their attitudes towards the transition and their ability to cope with change. This thesis proposes that workers’ identities could have a dual role towards the green steel transition in either supporting or opposing it. Finally, the study highlights the need to further consider workers’ identities in green steel transitions.}},
  author       = {{Malmberg, Sanne}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Do not steel our identities! Industry, identity, and its implications for a green steel transition in Oxelösund, Sweden}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}