The present study investigates the existing paradox between the expansion of digital consumption culture and the urgency of global sustainability. The research aim is to analyse the influence of social media usage and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) on the formation of materialistic values, both directly and through the pursuit of consumption prestige, and the consequent effect of this chain on responsible environmental behaviour. To this end, a descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative approach was adopted, operationalised via an online survey and analysed using Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modelling. The results indicate that the digital environment acts as a catalyst for materialistic values, driven by social anxiety and, predominantly, by the pursuit of consumption prestige. It was further observed that materialism negatively and statistically significantly influences responsible environmental behaviour. It is concluded that the pursuit of status on digital platforms erects psychological barriers to the adoption of sustainable practices, which challenges the resilience of global environmental preservation strategies.

The three Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, and Sweden) have long enjoyed economic success in manufacturing and innovation. All of these countries have small domestic markets and depend on international trade. Before the Global Financial Crisis (GFC; 2008–2009), Finland and Sweden set the standards, but since the GFC, Denmark has performed particularly well, while Sweden has had a mediocre performance. Growth is evident not only in revenues but also in profits and asset amounts. This growth has been consistent across many companies and has followed a linear pattern. Finland has generally performed worse than the other two countries, with issues mostly associated with lower revenue and profit growth, and changes in assets. Finland lacks companies with consistent growth. A key difference from Denmark is the smaller presence of the healthcare sector. The present analysis indicated that consistent growth is required to achieve the desired results using the current measures.

In the recent years there has been an increased interest towards relocating manufacturing back to Europe. Consequently, it becomes important to develop evaluation models of manufacturing location. We use secondary data to establish model for European Union 27 (EU-27) countries. Findings reveal in pairwise model comparison, that larger European countries seem to be the best locations in general (France, Germany, Italy, and Spain), however, few smaller countries perform high as well (like Ireland, Sweden, Luxemburg and Finland). In general, small member countries have the lowest performance. Typically, these are weak in population and severance pay terms. Lower-performing countries often also miss the larger role of medical and pharmaceutical industry within exports. Results were compared to classical rank-based evaluation. We did find some differences, and it could be said that larger countries lost their higher status, but Ireland and Sweden were still in highest ranks.

The purpose of this study is to explore how supply chain factors that influence decisions on reshoring have been discussed in previous research. A structured literature review is used to analyze 139 peer-reviewed articles from EBSCOhost, Science Direct, Emerald Insight and Springer. The study identifies four supply chain factors that influence reshoring decisions, namely: supply chain resources, supply chain reconfiguration, the customer-supplier relationship, and supply chain proximity. This study provides a novel starting point from which future researchers can initiate empirical studies to evaluate the influence of the identified supply chain factors on reshoring decisions. The findings can, in addition, help practitioners and managers to develop knowledge of the influence of supply chain factors when making reshoring decisions. This structured review extends our knowledge on the link between supply chain factors and reshoring, by drawing attention to how the factors of supply chain resources, supply chain reconfiguration, the customer-supplier relationship, and supply chain proximity influence reshoring decisions.

Does business success in uncertain times depend on company's ability to achieve a “twin transformation,” through discovery of new values at the crossroads of digital technology and sustainability to bolster competitiveness? The objective of this chapter is to examine value generation at the intersection of digital transformation and sustainable strategies, particularly through decision-support tools enabling unified data access across organisational boundaries. Theoretical underpinning/Methodology: Grounded in resource-based view, socio-technical theory, and dynamic capability perspective, this qualitative study collects data from enterprises of varying sizes, including 300 cluster organization members. Findings: Companies adept at integrating digital and sustainable strategies—“Twin Transformers”—are more likely to succeed. Despite Sweden's strong focus on sustainability, few companies actively pursue this transformative path. Conclusions/Implications: Companies need to broaden their perspective to fully embrace twin transformation. Originality: This study highlights the integration of digital and sustainable practices as essential for future competitiveness, addressing a gap in the current literature.

This study aims to explore how the vision of social sustainability is maintained by a MNC in a context outside their home country specially in an emerging market through transformative marketing strategies. To address the aim of the study the researchers will be following a qualitative approach. The international research group of this research study consists of two researchers from Sweden and two researchers from Brazil. It is assumed that a qualitative lens enable the researchers to obtain detailed insights, perceptions, and experiences of the respondents related to actions taken by Swedish MNCs as part of their transformative international marketing strategies in Brazil to reduce inequalities (UN SDG goal 10) in Brazil. Primary data is collected in Brazil through semi structured interviews as part of this exploratory research. Thematic analysis will be conducted on the collected data. Based on the initial understanding, it can be mentioned that the completed study will provide knowledge of transformative marketing strategies that are planned an implemented by Swedish MNCs to reduce inequalities (SDG 10) in an emerging market like Brazil and specify the challenges they the MNCs face to implement their transformative marketing strategies. This study will also shed light on how the transformative marketing strategies of Swedish MNCs indirectly influences United Nations SDGs 1: no poverty; 5: gender equality and 8: decent work and economic growth in Brazil.  

Purpose

We examined the internationalization process of business promotion organizations. We focused on the key stages and strategies and how the networks formed during this process can support their partners, particularly SMEs, in facilitating international expansion.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical lens: We combined the experiential learning-commitment interplay of the Uppsala model with a similar mechanism focused on business network relationships. A qualitative methodology: We used it to explore the question and the various forms of embeddedness within networks, offering an in-depth examination, particularly in the challenging natural settings of a cluster organization in geographic information systems (GIS).

Findings

We found that the cluster organization’s internationalization began regionally, forging connections with clusters in the Nordic and Baltic countries and Europe. Over time, the cluster recognized the importance of innovation leadership, leading to the integration of its core competencies with complementary technologies from other global geospatial technology hubs.

Research limitations/implications

The study fills research gaps by examining global linkages between regional clusters and international partners, focusing on external gaps. We explored how clusters can leverage global innovation systems and networks for matchmaking, capitalization and investment. Moreover, we addressed the need for more research on cross-cluster gaps and barriers to global market interaction. By providing insights into expanding beyond local interactions, the study enhances understanding of how clusters can increase the global reach and competitiveness of firms within them.

Originality/value

The platform established during the internationalization process was crucial, as SMEs within clusters often lack the resources, time and expertise to enter international markets alone. This platform helps SMEs overcome barriers such as size, resources and unfamiliarity with foreign markets.

Purpose

The paper aims to illuminate the platform created by a cluster organization to facilitate its internationalization and thereby enhance its regional innovation system partners' competitiveness by providing access to global value chains and boosting innovativeness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws upon the interaction approach, focusing on the interaction process, interaction partners, relationship atmosphere, and relationship environment. A qualitative study was conducted at Future Position X, a Swedish cluster organization. A total of 58 interviews were conducted, including 48 face-to-face in-depth interviews between 2017 and 2019 with six key informants at FPX, representatives from 28 SMEs, ten members of regional innovation systems to which FPX belongs, and four process leaders of regional and local networks, in addition to online interviews with ten members of the regional innovation systems conducted via Microsoft Teams in March 2021. The time span of the study provides a longitudinal perspective.

Findings

The FPX cluster collaborates with actors in the quadruple helix, maintaining a mindset that has led to a number of new partner agreements in the global arena to secure the resources and expertise necessary for cluster activities, and thereby ensuring firms in FPX networks access to platforms for international expansion. Internationalization thus expands the cluster's knowledge base beyond the traditional environment of its member firms.

Research limitations/implications

Very few innovations arise from the isolated work of a lone genius. Instead, most innovation is achieved through complex, interactive, iterative and cumulative learning processes in which a variety of actors are involved. The FPX cluster organization's internationalization platform is therefore vital to the internationalization of its partners since cluster actors lack the time, resources, knowledge, experience, and networks required to break into international markets singlehandedly.

Practical implications

This study suggests that, for practitioners and researchers alike, the growing importance and relevance of the regional innovation system cannot be overemphasized. It also holds policy and societal implications in that FPX's global network helps regional SMEs to internationalize, in addition to inspiring international firms to establish operations in the Gävleborg region, thereby helping to strengthen the overall GIS environment. Internationalization also expands the FPX cluster's knowledge base beyond the traditional environment of its firms, an example of this being the construction start of a Microsoft data centre in the region in 2020.

Social implications

FPX is financed through taxation and grant funding. By initiating projects, creating relationships and building collaborations, FPX thus contributes to collaboration between business, academia and the public sector. FPX also contributes to knowledge development of new technology by creating meeting places and networks around digital issues, such as GIS, AI, the IoT and blockchain technology.

Originality/value

While earlier research has concentrated on endogenous gaps critical to cluster dynamics, comparatively little attention has been paid to exogenous gaps, i.e. linkages between regional clusters and innovation partners elsewhere in the world. This study showcases the richness of interactions in the cluster against the background of wider, global innovation interactions. Future research should examine other vital questions that remain unanswered, e.g. by measuring and exploring the extent to which regional innovation systems can contribute to long-term economic growth for society.

We present an interdisciplinary exploration of technostress in knowledge-intensive organizations, including both business and healthcare settings, and its impact on a healthy working life. Technostress, a contemporary form of stress induced by information and communication technology, is associated with reduced job satisfaction, diminished organizational commitment, and adverse patient care outcomes. This article aims to construct an innovative framework, called The Integrated Technostress Resilience Framework, designed to mitigate technostress and promote continuous learning within dynamic organizational contexts. In this perspective article we incorporate a socio-technical systems approach to emphasize the complex interplay between technological and social factors in organizational settings. The proposed framework is expected to provide valuable insights into the role of transparency in digital technology utilization, with the aim of mitigating technostress. Furthermore, it seeks to extend information systems theory, particularly the Technology Acceptance Model, by offering a more nuanced understanding of technology adoption and use. Our conclusion includes considerations for the design and implementation of information systems aimed at fostering resilience and adaptability in organizations undergoing rapid technological change.

This study aims to investigate the measures taken by professional hockey clubs in Sweden for building brand and relationship with fans through social media (SM) during the global pandemic Covid-19. The study followed an inductive approach and qualitative method. Data were collected from officials and fans of three well-known Swedish Hockey league (SHL) teams through semi-structured interviews. A content analysis was undertaken to analyze the collected responses from the club officials and fans. The findings provide insight on the actions taken by the clubs to build their brand and fan relationships through SM. The study provides a framework signifying the important factors that sports organizations need to focus on while building their brand and fan relationships during a global pandemic and in the post pandemic era.