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Energy Transition Strategy - Strategic comparison between the Nordic countries and Central Europe

Saaresto, Toni Mikael LU and Vleugel, Robin LU (2025) BUSN09 20251
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
The transition to sustainable energy systems is one of the defining challenges of the 21st
century in Europe, especially in the context of the ambitious climate goals of the European
Union. This thesis investigates the differences in strategic approaches towards the
fundamental energy transition between the Nordic countries and the Central European
countries. The focus of this thesis is specifically on the role of different companies and their
role within the socio-technical nature of this transition. While previous literature has already
examined various aspects of energy transition, it remains a continuously evolving process.
While most of the existing literature focuses on the overarching broader factors that influence
the... (More)
The transition to sustainable energy systems is one of the defining challenges of the 21st
century in Europe, especially in the context of the ambitious climate goals of the European
Union. This thesis investigates the differences in strategic approaches towards the
fundamental energy transition between the Nordic countries and the Central European
countries. The focus of this thesis is specifically on the role of different companies and their
role within the socio-technical nature of this transition. While previous literature has already
examined various aspects of energy transition, it remains a continuously evolving process.
While most of the existing literature focuses on the overarching broader factors that influence
the energy transition across Europe, this study explores how corporate strategies are shaped
by regional and institutional contexts.
In the scope of a qualitative multiple case study design, eleven semi-structured interviews
were conducted with energy suppliers, grid operators, and large energy consumers across the
two regions. Using the Multi-Level Perspective framework, interactions between niche
innovations, regime dynamics, and landscape pressures are analyzed. Findings of this thesis
suggest that Nordic companies benefit from stable and state-supported energy regimes,
enhancing alignment between policy frameworks and corporate strategies. This alignment
increases the support for the integration of renewable energy sources. In contrast, Central
European companies face several challenges, including infrastructure limitations, continued
reliance on fossil fuels, market liberalization, and complex governance structures, hindering
strategic coherence, which slows down the adoption of renewables.
Overall this thesis contributes to the greater understanding of how corporate strategies in the
energy transition are affected by geographical, regional and institutional contexts. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Saaresto, Toni Mikael LU and Vleugel, Robin LU
supervisor
organization
course
BUSN09 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
language
English
id
9202790
date added to LUP
2025-06-19 14:11:52
date last changed
2025-06-19 14:11:52
@misc{9202790,
  abstract     = {{The transition to sustainable energy systems is one of the defining challenges of the 21st
century in Europe, especially in the context of the ambitious climate goals of the European
Union. This thesis investigates the differences in strategic approaches towards the
fundamental energy transition between the Nordic countries and the Central European
countries. The focus of this thesis is specifically on the role of different companies and their
role within the socio-technical nature of this transition. While previous literature has already
examined various aspects of energy transition, it remains a continuously evolving process.
While most of the existing literature focuses on the overarching broader factors that influence
the energy transition across Europe, this study explores how corporate strategies are shaped
by regional and institutional contexts.
In the scope of a qualitative multiple case study design, eleven semi-structured interviews
were conducted with energy suppliers, grid operators, and large energy consumers across the
two regions. Using the Multi-Level Perspective framework, interactions between niche
innovations, regime dynamics, and landscape pressures are analyzed. Findings of this thesis
suggest that Nordic companies benefit from stable and state-supported energy regimes,
enhancing alignment between policy frameworks and corporate strategies. This alignment
increases the support for the integration of renewable energy sources. In contrast, Central
European companies face several challenges, including infrastructure limitations, continued
reliance on fossil fuels, market liberalization, and complex governance structures, hindering
strategic coherence, which slows down the adoption of renewables.
Overall this thesis contributes to the greater understanding of how corporate strategies in the
energy transition are affected by geographical, regional and institutional contexts.}},
  author       = {{Saaresto, Toni Mikael and Vleugel, Robin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Energy Transition Strategy - Strategic comparison between the Nordic countries and Central Europe}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}