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From Models to Municipalities: Strategic Investment Decision-Making in the City of Malmö, A Focused Study of The City of Malmö's Investment Strategies

Kidane, Helena LU and Willig, Jasmin LU (2025) BUSN79 20251
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how strategic investment decisions (SIDs) are made and implemented within the Swedish public sector. Through an analysis of a significant municipal investment, the study examines the rationales, frameworks, and processes involved in public decision-making and assessing their alignment with long-term strategic objectives and established theoretical models.
Methodology: A qualitative single-case study on the City of Malmö was conducted, combining document analysis with semi-structured interviews. The Citadellsgymnasiet investment project was used as the focal case to investigate SIDs in practice.
Theoretical perspectives: This study draws on well-established SID models by King (1975) and... (More)
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how strategic investment decisions (SIDs) are made and implemented within the Swedish public sector. Through an analysis of a significant municipal investment, the study examines the rationales, frameworks, and processes involved in public decision-making and assessing their alignment with long-term strategic objectives and established theoretical models.
Methodology: A qualitative single-case study on the City of Malmö was conducted, combining document analysis with semi-structured interviews. The Citadellsgymnasiet investment project was used as the focal case to investigate SIDs in practice.
Theoretical perspectives: This study draws on well-established SID models by King (1975) and Harris (1999) as well as management control frameworks by Cooper (1990). It integrates the concepts of pre- and post-decision controls and stage-gate frameworks to analyze the strategic investment decision-making process.
Empirical foundation: Empirical data were gathered through organizational documents and four interviews with municipal stakeholders. The study analyzed both the 2018 investment management framework and the 2022 premises decision-making model used in Malmö. Conclusions: Although the City of Malmö has established decision-making frameworks to guide SIDs, their implementation is often impacted by political influences, informal practices, and organizational inertia. The study finds partial alignment with theoretical models but also highlights gaps in early-stage analysis, alternative evaluation, and strategic follow-up. This indicates the need for improved integration between principles and practices. (Less)
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author
Kidane, Helena LU and Willig, Jasmin LU
supervisor
organization
course
BUSN79 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Strategic Investment decisions, Public Sector, Decision-Making Frameworks, Strategic Decision-Making, Investment Management
language
English
id
9204078
date added to LUP
2025-06-26 13:32:26
date last changed
2025-06-26 13:32:26
@misc{9204078,
  abstract     = {{Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how strategic investment decisions (SIDs) are made and implemented within the Swedish public sector. Through an analysis of a significant municipal investment, the study examines the rationales, frameworks, and processes involved in public decision-making and assessing their alignment with long-term strategic objectives and established theoretical models.
Methodology: A qualitative single-case study on the City of Malmö was conducted, combining document analysis with semi-structured interviews. The Citadellsgymnasiet investment project was used as the focal case to investigate SIDs in practice.
Theoretical perspectives: This study draws on well-established SID models by King (1975) and Harris (1999) as well as management control frameworks by Cooper (1990). It integrates the concepts of pre- and post-decision controls and stage-gate frameworks to analyze the strategic investment decision-making process.
Empirical foundation: Empirical data were gathered through organizational documents and four interviews with municipal stakeholders. The study analyzed both the 2018 investment management framework and the 2022 premises decision-making model used in Malmö. Conclusions: Although the City of Malmö has established decision-making frameworks to guide SIDs, their implementation is often impacted by political influences, informal practices, and organizational inertia. The study finds partial alignment with theoretical models but also highlights gaps in early-stage analysis, alternative evaluation, and strategic follow-up. This indicates the need for improved integration between principles and practices.}},
  author       = {{Kidane, Helena and Willig, Jasmin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{From Models to Municipalities: Strategic Investment Decision-Making in the City of Malmö, A Focused Study of The City of Malmö's Investment Strategies}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}