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Making sense of sustainability governance tools : Educational intent and the organisational enactment of sustainability learning — a case study of Lund Formula Student

Peck, Sophie Marie LU (2026) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20261
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
This study contributes to research on integrating sustainability governance tools for the development of products and services. I examine how a sustainability tool (Costed Carbonised Bill Of Materials) materialises in a student-led, quasi-business organisation. Drawing on sensemaking and institutional theory, I conducted and analysed 12 interviews with the management of Lund Formula Student. Although the tool was introduced for educational purposes, members treated it primarily as a reporting tool for gaining competition points. Thus, it became a weak sustainability implementation. The findings suggest that the establishment of sustainability tools in an organisation is shaped by its priorities and identities. Hence, this study indicates... (More)
This study contributes to research on integrating sustainability governance tools for the development of products and services. I examine how a sustainability tool (Costed Carbonised Bill Of Materials) materialises in a student-led, quasi-business organisation. Drawing on sensemaking and institutional theory, I conducted and analysed 12 interviews with the management of Lund Formula Student. Although the tool was introduced for educational purposes, members treated it primarily as a reporting tool for gaining competition points. Thus, it became a weak sustainability implementation. The findings suggest that the establishment of sustainability tools in an organisation is shaped by its priorities and identities. Hence, this study indicates that meaningful execution towards strong sustainability requires understanding on how actors that are responsible for implementing the tools interpret, communicate and justify sustainability work within companies. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Denna studie bidrar till forskningen om integrering av styrningsverktyg för hållbarhet i utvecklingen av produkter och tjänster. Jag undersöker hur ett hållbarhetsverktyg, Costed Carbonised Bill of Materials (CCBOM), materialiseras i en studentledd, kvasiaffärsmässig organisation. Med utgångspunkt i sensemaking och institutionell teori genomförde och analyserade jag 12 intervjuer med ledningen för Lund Formula Student. Trots att verktyget introducerades i utbildningssyfte, behandlade medlemmarna det främst som ett rapporteringsverktyg för att få tävlingspoäng. Därför fick hållbarhetsarbetet endast ett svagt genomslag. Resultaten tyder på att etableringen av hållbarhetsverktyg i en organisation formas av dess prioriteringar och identiteter.... (More)
Denna studie bidrar till forskningen om integrering av styrningsverktyg för hållbarhet i utvecklingen av produkter och tjänster. Jag undersöker hur ett hållbarhetsverktyg, Costed Carbonised Bill of Materials (CCBOM), materialiseras i en studentledd, kvasiaffärsmässig organisation. Med utgångspunkt i sensemaking och institutionell teori genomförde och analyserade jag 12 intervjuer med ledningen för Lund Formula Student. Trots att verktyget introducerades i utbildningssyfte, behandlade medlemmarna det främst som ett rapporteringsverktyg för att få tävlingspoäng. Därför fick hållbarhetsarbetet endast ett svagt genomslag. Resultaten tyder på att etableringen av hållbarhetsverktyg i en organisation formas av dess prioriteringar och identiteter. Studien indikerar därför att meningsfullt genomförande mot stark hållbarhet kräver förståelse för hur de aktörer som ansvarar för att implementera verktygen tolkar, kommunicerar och motiverar hållbarhetsarbete inom företag. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Peck, Sophie Marie LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Formula Student, Sustainability Governance Tools, Sensemaking, Sustainability Education, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2026:034
language
English
id
9231156
date added to LUP
2026-06-05 16:05:49
date last changed
2026-06-05 16:05:49
@misc{9231156,
  abstract     = {{This study contributes to research on integrating sustainability governance tools for the development of products and services. I examine how a sustainability tool (Costed Carbonised Bill Of Materials) materialises in a student-led, quasi-business organisation. Drawing on sensemaking and institutional theory, I conducted and analysed 12 interviews with the management of Lund Formula Student. Although the tool was introduced for educational purposes, members treated it primarily as a reporting tool for gaining competition points. Thus, it became a weak sustainability implementation. The findings suggest that the establishment of sustainability tools in an organisation is shaped by its priorities and identities. Hence, this study indicates that meaningful execution towards strong sustainability requires understanding on how actors that are responsible for implementing the tools interpret, communicate and justify sustainability work within companies.}},
  author       = {{Peck, Sophie Marie}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Making sense of sustainability governance tools : Educational intent and the organisational enactment of sustainability learning — a case study of Lund Formula Student}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}