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Stål, Herman, Associate professorORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-0186-0358
Alternative names
Publications (10 of 43) Show all publications
Haskell, L., Bonnedahl, K. J. & Stål, H. (2024). Addressing climate change through social innovation initiatives. Journal of Social Entrepreneurship
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Addressing climate change through social innovation initiatives
2024 (English)In: Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, ISSN 1942-0676, E-ISSN 1942-0684Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

While social innovation has traditionally emphasised social sustainability, it also presents potential for the mitigation of climate change by influencing social practices. This study explores how social innovation initiatives address social practices to mitigate climate change. Our qualitative study in an affluent setting, a Swedish municipality with high emissions, led to the identification of four dimensions relevant for climate mitigation: SIIs’ social motives, inspiration of others, beneficiary participation, and use of artefacts. Social motives for climate relevant social ends focused on altering the meaning of practices while SIIs’ had social means focused on changing meaning, competences, and materials of emission-intensive practices.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Routledge, 2024
Keywords
Social innovation, climate change, social innovation initiatives
National Category
Business Administration Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Research subject
sustainable development
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-231707 (URN)10.1080/19420676.2024.2421259 (DOI)001348884300001 ()2-s2.0-85209096967 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2024-11-11 Created: 2024-11-11 Last updated: 2024-12-06
Stål, H. I., Manzhynski, S. & Bengtsson, M. (2024). Agreeing to disagree: linear-circular and public-private tensions in the transformation to circular business models. Organization & environment
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Agreeing to disagree: linear-circular and public-private tensions in the transformation to circular business models
2024 (English)In: Organization & environment, ISSN 1086-0266, E-ISSN 1552-7417Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

Research points to public-private collaboration’s importance for supporting the transformation from linear to circular business models. As little is known of such collaboration, we conducted a 4-year in-depth case study to answer how transformation is affected by two types of tensions: between linear and circular elements and between public and private partners. We find that tensions shape the transformational process into a dialectical pattern, as partners’ institutional differences initially cause them to conflict over whether to focus on linear or circular elements but, over time, arrive at a synthesis. Our findings contribute to circular business model research by illustrating the usefulness of understanding transformational challenges as linear-circular tensions and by illuminating the dialectics of transformational processes.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sage Publications, 2024
Keywords
collaboration, circular economy, cross-sector partnerships, public-private, circular business model, sustainable development, transformation, institutional theory
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-233364 (URN)10.1177/10860266241304310 (DOI)001380931700001 ()2-s2.0-85212763763 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas, 2019-00520Swedish Research Council Formas, 2021-0005The Kamprad Family Foundation, 20160063
Available from: 2025-01-02 Created: 2025-01-02 Last updated: 2025-01-03
Manzhynski, S., Hahn, T., Bengtsson, M. & Stål, H. (2024). Untangling coopetitive tensions for sustainability: a system dynamics exploration. In: : . Paper presented at 2024 International System Dynamics Conference, Bergen, Norway, August 3-7, 2024.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Untangling coopetitive tensions for sustainability: a system dynamics exploration
2024 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation only (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

Paradox theory often overlooks how (inter)organizational paradoxes interact and evolve within a processual context, both conceptually and empirically. This study delves into such 'knotting' by examining coopetition for sustainability, wherein competitors collaborate to address simultaneously economic, environmental and social concerns. We introduce a novel conceptualization of knotted paradoxes through the lens of system dynamics (SD). Within this SD framework, a knotted paradox is portrayed as a complex dynamic system characterized by contradictory cause-effect interactions forming intertwined balancing and reinforcing causality loops. This perspective facilitates a systemic understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of knotted paradoxes. We apply our conceptualization to explore an in-depth case study of how seven construction and housing firms collaborate and compete to plan a new sustainable residential area in a Swedish city. By constructing causal-loop models we examine how knotted coopetition and sustainability paradoxes exacerbate and mitigate each other, oscillating in their dominance through various processes over time. Through our analysis we distinguish three patterns of vicious cycles indicative of dysfunctional paradox evolution: Fading, Accelerating, and Mixed dynamics.

Keywords
Paradox, tensions, system dynamics, coopetition for sustainability, knotted paradoxes
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-229947 (URN)
Conference
2024 International System Dynamics Conference, Bergen, Norway, August 3-7, 2024
Available from: 2024-09-23 Created: 2024-09-23 Last updated: 2024-09-23Bibliographically approved
Stål, H. I., Riumkin, I. & Bengtsson, M. (2023). Business models for sustainability and firms' external relationships: a systematic literature review with propositions and research agenda. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(6), 3887-3901
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Business models for sustainability and firms' external relationships: a systematic literature review with propositions and research agenda
2023 (English)In: Business Strategy and the Environment, ISSN 0964-4733, E-ISSN 1099-0836, Vol. 32, no 6, p. 3887-3901Article, review/survey (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Increased focus on sustainability has made firms' value creation increasingly boundary spanning and complex. This begs the question of how business model research describes firm's external relationships, motivating us to undertake a systematic literature review. In analyzing 49 articles, we discuss and problematize four conceptualizations of external relationships - collaboration, alliances, networks, and ecosystems - arriving at nine propositions that clarify their meaning and refer to either firm-centric or collective business models for sustainability. In combining these findings with review results from conventional business model research we identify three main blind spots in extant business model for sustainability research, regarding coopetition, wider inter-organizational and sustainability tensions, and power. Based on these blind spots, we sketch a research agenda that could theorize business models for sustainability without neglecting their inherent tensions and contradictions.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2023
Keywords
business model, collaboration, ecosystem, network, relationship, sustainability
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
sustainability
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-202580 (URN)10.1002/bse.3343 (DOI)000906757100001 ()2-s2.0-85145582080 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas, 2019-00520Swedish Research Council Formas, 2021-0005
Available from: 2023-01-12 Created: 2023-01-12 Last updated: 2023-12-19Bibliographically approved
Stål, H. (2023). Can local governments’ planning monopoly help us imagine forceful climate policy?: A practice perspective. In: : . Paper presented at 39th European Group of Organization Studies 2023 Colloquium (EGOs), Cagliari, Italy, July 6-8, 2023.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Can local governments’ planning monopoly help us imagine forceful climate policy?: A practice perspective
2023 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation only (Refereed)
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
sustainability
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-212968 (URN)
Conference
39th European Group of Organization Studies 2023 Colloquium (EGOs), Cagliari, Italy, July 6-8, 2023
Projects
Business models for residential mobility hubs
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas, 2019-00520, 2021-0005
Available from: 2023-08-17 Created: 2023-08-17 Last updated: 2024-11-18Bibliographically approved
Stål, H. (2023). Circular fashion: moral effects and ethical implications (1ed.). In: Louise Wallenberg; Andrea Kollnitz (Ed.), Fashion aesthetics and ethics: past and present (pp. 25-44). Bloomsbury Visual Arts
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Circular fashion: moral effects and ethical implications
2023 (English)In: Fashion aesthetics and ethics: past and present / [ed] Louise Wallenberg; Andrea Kollnitz, Bloomsbury Visual Arts , 2023, 1, p. 25-44Chapter in book (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

Recently the fashion industry has been criticized for not taking responsibility for the amounts of garments going to waste. This critique adds to the previous list of problematizations of the fashion industry. In this presentation I focus on fashion as a contested practice, one that is subject to extensive and continuous critique from various stakeholders regarding multiple issues. I use institutional theory to discuss different ways the industry has deployed to defend and maintain this practice. A case study of adoption of circular economy within Sweden serves as an example. Here firms have implemented various activities to circumvent critique, seemingly aiming to prolong the life of garments, reduce waste, increase reuse and instigate recycling. Particularly common are take-back systems, services that provide consumers with the possibility to return used garments and receive a discount. The case study illustrates different types of institutional work effective at different levels, for instance political action, collaboration with competitors and decoupling. While such institutional work also entails minor practice change, the main outcome appears to be that practice continues much in the same way. I then discuss the usefulness of the framing of fashion as a contested practice and, drawing on the case, what this particular framing can help us understand about contemporary fashion. I argue that it helps us gain a broader image of fashion and what it may mean in a complex world. And the various ways that this image develops.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 2023 Edition: 1
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
sustainability
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-212967 (URN)10.5040/9781350198562.ch-001 (DOI)978-1-3501-9853-1 (ISBN)978-1-3501-9852-4 (ISBN)978-1-3501-9856-2 (ISBN)978-1-3501-9854-8 (ISBN)978-1-3501-9855-5 (ISBN)
Projects
Relations within Circular Business Models
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas, 2019-00520
Available from: 2023-08-17 Created: 2023-08-17 Last updated: 2023-08-23Bibliographically approved
Stål, H. (2023). Entrepreneurs, activism and sustainable development. Entreprendre & Innover, 54(1), 101-113
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Entrepreneurs, activism and sustainable development
2023 (English)In: Entreprendre & Innover, ISSN 2034-7634, Vol. 54, no 1, p. 101-113Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This paper addresses the paradox that occurs when entrepreneurship is combined with sustainable development. The notion of strong sustainability is used to reconcile the paradox. [1] Strong sustainability closely adheres to what natural science tells us regarding the state of the Earth system and its functions. It is a particular way of understanding the needs of future generations insofar as it states that they will at least need the integrity of the Earth system to be intact in order to meet their needs. This fact is what enables and underpins all reliable social and economic development. The strong sustainability approach therefore mandates that the notion of Earth system integrity be prioritized in any societal decision making, including that of entrepreneurs. The paper concludes with a discussion of the different ways in which entrepreneurs can integrate Earth systems thinking into their commercial endeavors.

Abstract [fr]

Cet article conceptuel aborde le paradoxe qui se produit lorsque l’entrepreneuriat est combiné avec le développementdurable. On peut utiliser la notion de durabilité forte pour résoudre ce paradoxe. La durabilitéforte s’appuie étroitement sur ce que les sciences naturelles nous disent de l’état du système terrestre etde ses fonctions. Il s’agit d’une manière particulière de comprendre les besoins des générations futures quiaffirment qu’elles auront au moins besoin que l’intégrité du système terrestre soit préservée pour répondreà leurs besoins. Seul ce principe permet et soutient un développement social et économique fiable. Parconséquent, l’approche fondée sur la durabilité forte exige que la notion d’intégrité du système terrestresoit prioritaire dans toute prise de décision sociétale, y compris celle des entrepreneurs. L’article se terminepar une discussion sur les différentes façons dont les entrepreneurs peuvent intégrer cette réflexion sur lessystèmes terrestres dans leurs activités commerciales.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Paris: Cairn, 2023
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
sustainability
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-212960 (URN)10.3917/entin.054.0101 (DOI)
Available from: 2023-08-17 Created: 2023-08-17 Last updated: 2023-08-18Bibliographically approved
Babri, M., Corvellec, H. & Stål, H. (2023). The circular economy: a geometry lesson. Social Europe
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The circular economy: a geometry lesson
2023 (English)In: Social Europe, ISSN 2628-7641, , p. 2Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Equating circularity with narrowing and slowing lets virtually all businesses join the bandwagon.

Publisher
p. 2
National Category
Economics and Business
Research subject
sustainability
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-212969 (URN)
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas, 2019-00520
Note

Published 2023-06-13

Available from: 2023-08-17 Created: 2023-08-17 Last updated: 2023-08-18Bibliographically approved
Babri, M., Corvellec, H. & Stål, H. I. (2022). Material affordances in circular products and business model development: for a relational understanding of human and material agency. Culture and Organization, 28(1), 79-96
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Material affordances in circular products and business model development: for a relational understanding of human and material agency
2022 (English)In: Culture and Organization, ISSN 1475-9551, E-ISSN 1477-2760, Vol. 28, no 1, p. 79-96Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This paper uses the notion of material affordances to show that a focus on how people engage with materials helps understanding how organizations transit toward sustainability. Material affordances refer to the enablements and constraints afforded by materials to someone engaging with an environment for a particular purpose. Based on a qualitative study of a company's efforts at becoming circular, we show that material affordances are evolutive as organizational members shift focus from the development of products to the establishment of a circular business model. We also show that affordances are distributed across the company's circular ecosystem. Between what they enable and prevent, they invite humans to a dynamic engagement with materials that decenters human agencies to incorporate material agency in such efforts. A key contribution of the notion of material affordances is to put the relationships of humans and materials at the core of a transition toward circularity and sustainability.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Routledge, 2022
Keywords
Affordance, Circular business model, Circular products, Materials, Organizational environmental sustainability
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-189479 (URN)10.1080/14759551.2021.1986506 (DOI)000706239300001 ()2-s2.0-85118294221 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish Research Council, 2019-00520Vinnova, 2016-05143,2017-03166
Note

First published online: 11 Oct 2021

Available from: 2021-11-12 Created: 2021-11-12 Last updated: 2021-12-30Bibliographically approved
Stål, H. & Corvellec, H. (2021). Organizing means–ends decoupling: core–compartment separations in fast fashion. Business & society, 61(4), 857-885
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Organizing means–ends decoupling: core–compartment separations in fast fashion
2021 (English)In: Business & society, ISSN 0007-6503, E-ISSN 1552-4205, Vol. 61, no 4, p. 857-885Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Means–ends decoupling, the institutionally induced implementation of ineffective practices, has become increasingly common. Extant theory suggests that means–ends decoupling has real consequences, which makes it unstable and difficult for organizations to sustain. Yet little is known of how, and with what outcomes, firms organize such means–ends decoupling. We examine organizing via multiple qualitative and longitudinal case studies of how Swedish fast fashion retailers implement and manage the collection of used garments. We find that firms combine two organizational arrangements: structural and temporal core–compartment separations, which mitigate consequences of means–ends decoupling by obscuring and justifying efficiency gaps. Thereby we provide a theoretical explanation for how means–ends decoupling can persist over time.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
London: Sage Publications, 2021
Keywords
circular economy, corporate sustainability, decoupling, fashion, institutional theory
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
sustainability
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-212955 (URN)10.1177/00076503211001856 (DOI)000643460100001 ()2-s2.0-85104507141 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Vinnova, 2016-03496_6Swedish Research Council Formas, 2019-00520The Kamprad Family Foundation, 20160063Swedish Energy Agency, 44087-1
Available from: 2023-08-17 Created: 2023-08-17 Last updated: 2023-08-17Bibliographically approved
Projects
Relationships within circular business models [2019-00520_Formas]; Umeå University; Publications
Stål, H. (2023). Can local governments’ planning monopoly help us imagine forceful climate policy?: A practice perspective. In: : . Paper presented at 39th European Group of Organization Studies 2023 Colloquium (EGOs), Cagliari, Italy, July 6-8, 2023. Babri, M., Corvellec, H. & Stål, H. (2023). The circular economy: a geometry lesson. Social Europe
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-0186-0358

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