Theoretical and practical evidence about inner development for leveraging sustainability transition in SMEs.
Author
Elnikova, Anastasiia
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2023
Pages
74
Abstract
This transdisciplinary master’s thesis investigates how personal inner development can accelerate sustainability transitions in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Framed by the Inner Development Goals (IDG) as a pathway toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the study applies Leverage Points and Intellectual Capital theory to explain why and how IDG-related capacities can be embedded in SME contexts. It addresses: the current state of knowledge on inner development for sustainability, the pathways by which inner development can influence SME sustainability transitions, and how to translate IDGs into SME practice. Methodologically, it combines a literature review with semi-structured interviews and field notes. The findings reported in the excerpt indicate that transformative change in SMEs depends on shifts in organizational values and mindsets; integrating the IDG framework through leadership and the development of human, relational, and structural capital can deepen connection to self, ecosystem, and community, supporting regenerative business practices. The thesis also identifies a need for further research on organizational transformations aligned with the SDGs and offers a conceptual foundation for implementing inner development in SMEs.
Dette tværdisciplinære speciale undersøger, hvordan personlig indre udvikling kan accelerere bæredygtige transformationer i små og mellemstore virksomheder (SMV’er). Med udgangspunkt i Inner Development Goals (IDG) som en vej mod FN’s Verdensmål anvendes teorierne om Leverage Points og Intellectual Capital til at forklare, hvorfor og hvordan IDG-relaterede kompetencer kan forankres i SMV-konteksten. Specialet adresserer bl.a.: den aktuelle viden om indre udvikling for bæredygtighed, hvordan indre udvikling kan påvirke SMV’ers bæredygtige omstilling, og hvordan IDG kan omsættes til praksis i SMV’er. Metodisk kombineres litteraturgennemgang med semistrukturerede interviews og feltnoter. De fund, der fremgår af uddraget, peger på, at transformativ forandring i SMV’er kræver skift i organisatoriske værdier og mindset; integration af IDG gennem ledelse og udvikling af menneskelig, relationel og strukturel kapital kan styrke forbindelsen til sig selv, økosystemet og lokalsamfundet og dermed understøtte regenerative forretningspraksisser. Specialet fremhæver desuden behovet for mere forskning i organisationsforandringer i tråd med Verdensmålene og leverer et konceptuelt grundlag for implementering af indre udvikling i SMV’er.
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