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From Practice to Theory: First Steps into Translating Sustainability Ideals into Actions in Swedish and Danish SMEs in the Food Sector

Madrigal Olguín, Valeria LU and Johannessen, Laura Elisabet LU (2024) MGTN59 20241
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
This thesis is designed as exploratory research, with the aim of studying the relatively
underexplored and poorly understood theory-practice gap in small-medium enterprises
transition from sustainability ideal to practice. While existing literature has extensively
addressed theoretical implications, scant attention has been paid to the lived experiences of
SMEs, particularly within the context of the food manufacturing industry. Thereby, this thesis
contributes with empirical findings from interviewing six SMEs in Sweden and Denmark in
the food manufacturing industry, exploring the conditioning circumstances towards
sustainability practices. The aim of this thesis is to understand the subjective perceptions of
organisational and... (More)
This thesis is designed as exploratory research, with the aim of studying the relatively
underexplored and poorly understood theory-practice gap in small-medium enterprises
transition from sustainability ideal to practice. While existing literature has extensively
addressed theoretical implications, scant attention has been paid to the lived experiences of
SMEs, particularly within the context of the food manufacturing industry. Thereby, this thesis
contributes with empirical findings from interviewing six SMEs in Sweden and Denmark in
the food manufacturing industry, exploring the conditioning circumstances towards
sustainability practices. The aim of this thesis is to understand the subjective perceptions of
organisational and institutional requirements, to comprehend the theory-practice gap from the
practitioners’ point of view. By incorporating an inductive research approach, we aim to
synthesise empirical findings and theoretical perspectives to essentially identify practitioners'
explanations and justifications of their interactions with sustainability frameworks and
standardised practices. This is achieved by a systematic approach to grounded theory, where
the interview data shapes our theoretical implication, which shapes our analysis. By discussing
the empirical findings with relevant research, we exemplify three overall implications that
contribute to future research. Lastly, these implications are expanded into recommendations for
SMEs that share similar context and desire to realise their sustainability ideals. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Madrigal Olguín, Valeria LU and Johannessen, Laura Elisabet LU
supervisor
organization
course
MGTN59 20241
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
language
English
id
9159698
date added to LUP
2024-06-24 12:57:35
date last changed
2024-06-24 12:57:35
@misc{9159698,
  abstract     = {{This thesis is designed as exploratory research, with the aim of studying the relatively
underexplored and poorly understood theory-practice gap in small-medium enterprises
transition from sustainability ideal to practice. While existing literature has extensively
addressed theoretical implications, scant attention has been paid to the lived experiences of
SMEs, particularly within the context of the food manufacturing industry. Thereby, this thesis
contributes with empirical findings from interviewing six SMEs in Sweden and Denmark in
the food manufacturing industry, exploring the conditioning circumstances towards
sustainability practices. The aim of this thesis is to understand the subjective perceptions of
organisational and institutional requirements, to comprehend the theory-practice gap from the
practitioners’ point of view. By incorporating an inductive research approach, we aim to
synthesise empirical findings and theoretical perspectives to essentially identify practitioners'
explanations and justifications of their interactions with sustainability frameworks and
standardised practices. This is achieved by a systematic approach to grounded theory, where
the interview data shapes our theoretical implication, which shapes our analysis. By discussing
the empirical findings with relevant research, we exemplify three overall implications that
contribute to future research. Lastly, these implications are expanded into recommendations for
SMEs that share similar context and desire to realise their sustainability ideals.}},
  author       = {{Madrigal Olguín, Valeria and Johannessen, Laura Elisabet}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{From Practice to Theory: First Steps into Translating Sustainability Ideals into Actions in Swedish and Danish SMEs in the Food Sector}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}