NEW DEAL | High costs hinder sustainable fashion industry – “Companies can be criticized for greenwashing”
Food, housing and transport account for the largest environmental impact. In fourth place is the fashion and textile industry. Product innovation can make the industry more sustainable, but there are obstacles in the way of a transition worthy of the name. We spoke to Sara Harper, a textile expert at the University of Borås. What […]
BOOK TIPS | Gender inequality in the tech industry
Despite many efforts to increase gender equality in technology-driven research and innovation fields, women remain in a clear minority. A new book gives us clues as to why. Sweden was early to draw attention to gender inequality in technology-driven innovation. For over a decade, we have invested in research and initiatives on inclusion and gender […]
DEBATE | Why companies should focus on profits before growth
Growth and profitability are issues faced by millions of entrepreneurs around the world. Both are important for long-term success. If a company is highly profitable but not growing, it may be an untapped opportunity for profitable growth. If a company has high growth but is not making a profit, it could mean that they are […]
NEW STUDY | Newly minted intrapreneurs ready for employment
Confident problem-solving team players. That’s how intrapreneurial students can be succinctly described after graduation – and companies are happy to hire them. Many graduates of entrepreneurship programs choose to work for established companies rather than start their own business. Employees with entrepreneurial skills, such as problem-solving and business acumen, are known as intrapreneurs. This is […]
Researcher critical of innovation fluff in municipalities – “Put yourself in the driver’s seat”
Municipalities are keen to innovate to keep up with and influence societal developments. But often the process is abstract and without clear direction. Erica Eneqvist’s thesis provides concrete suggestions on how the work can be organized. A local technology company has received external funding to test a sustainable technological solution in the field of mobility. […]
Entrepreneurship hype under the microscope “There is an atmosphere that attracts”
A lot is being done to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation. But the vast majority of start-ups fail and the return on innovation declines over time. Yet entrepreneurship is hotter than ever. Why is it so? The entrepreneur is seen by many as an important force in society. It is someone who creates innovations and job […]
Farmers’ innovation power captured in new research project
There is a great spirit of innovation in the agricultural industry that needs to be harnessed to enable farmers to meet the challenges of the future. Educational researchers in the Norrland hub are driving this development. – Through lifelong learning we develop and shape the society we live in. “Sustainable food production is central to […]
How differently small businesses have been affected by the pandemic
The smallest companies have been affected by and dealt with the coronavirus pandemic in very different ways. Researchers at Luleå University of Technology have found three different types. Gym owners, actors, engineers, cheese makers, web developers, tourism entrepreneurs, hairdressers, advertisers and PR people. Yes, micro and small business owners are different. For many, the last […]
Innovation in municipalities – how it works
Is it even possible to work with innovation in a bureaucratic, rule-driven municipality? Yes, but in a different way than in the private sector, says Chelsey Jo Huisman, who is following Kiruna municipality’s innovation work during the urban transformation. Creativity and experimentation are at the heart of an innovation process. This may seem impossible to […]
NEW DEAL | Contractor at the municipality challenges the bureaucrat
Entrepreneurial skills are sought after in public organizations today. But entrepreneurs risk jeopardizing fundamental democratic values. Public organizations are often associated with bureaucracy and top-down management. Ideals that originally come from big business. But over the past 20 years, a more entrepreneurial management logic has taken hold and now dominates parts of our municipal and […]
