129
To summarize, it seems likely that Sweden, as one of pathfinders in the world
regarding sustainability and innovation, can contribute in the strive towards an innovative and sustainable agri-sector. Considering the global needs and challenges, it is
important to deepen the international cooperation regarding the development of sustainable business models in the agri-sector. Hence, by studying the Swedish context,
we can identify barriers, challenges and possibilities that can be relevant in other
countries as well.
5.5 Methodology
In this paper, I will present, discuss and analyse eight different agri-companies/agricooperatives connected to agriculture in Sweden. Since forestry is an integrated part
of agri-companies of Sweden and often an important part from cash flow and solidity perspectives, I have also studied one organisation, a large cooperative, from the
forestry sector. All the companies/cooperatives are presented in Table 5.6.
The empirical data consists of both primary and secondary data, which have been
collected by a set of different methods. The primary data consists mainly of interviews with owners/managers or other representatives of the companies and visits on
the company/farm. Initially, the respondents were asked to tell their story of the
companies in their own words. A semi-structured interview guide with open-ended
questions was also used. It covered subjects like company history, past and current
business activities, customers, partnerships, networks, goals, culture, values, sustainability, innovation and business models.
The secondary data has been gathered through document studies (official economic records, printed material and Internet pages). This multi-method approach
has been used in previous research on business models (Täuscher and Laudien
2018; Zott and Amit 2008). In the study presented in this chapter, multiple methods
have been used for each case, but not all methods have been used for all cases. The
collected data, including the interviews, have been analysed through categorizations
and content analysis (Täuscher and Laudien 2018).
5.5.1 Högared Milk Farm
Högared’s main business is to produce and sell milk to a large milk distributor
higher up in the value chain. Currently, there are 190 milk cows at the farm. The
company is owned by two brothers with their families. Besides the two owners,
there are six employees at the company. The company has historically experienced
few possibilities to develop and change the business model. However, during the
last decade, the owners/managers have prioritized their competence building
through several leadership and management courses and have now formulated a
new vision for the company:
5 Development of Sustainable Business Models for Innovation in the Swedish…
To summarize, it seems likely that Sweden, as one of pathfinders in the world
regarding sustainability and innovation, can contribute in the strive towards an innovative and sustainable agri-sector. Considering the global needs and challenges, it is
important to deepen the international cooperation regarding the development of sustainable business models in the agri-sector. Hence, by studying the Swedish context,
we can identify barriers, challenges and possibilities that can be relevant in other
countries as well.
5.5 Methodology
In this paper, I will present, discuss and analyse eight different agri-companies/agricooperatives connected to agriculture in Sweden. Since forestry is an integrated part
of agri-companies of Sweden and often an important part from cash flow and solidity perspectives, I have also studied one organisation, a large cooperative, from the
forestry sector. All the companies/cooperatives are presented in Table 5.6.
The empirical data consists of both primary and secondary data, which have been
collected by a set of different methods. The primary data consists mainly of interviews with owners/managers or other representatives of the companies and visits on
the company/farm. Initially, the respondents were asked to tell their story of the
companies in their own words. A semi-structured interview guide with open-ended
questions was also used. It covered subjects like company history, past and current
business activities, customers, partnerships, networks, goals, culture, values, sustainability, innovation and business models.
The secondary data has been gathered through document studies (official economic records, printed material and Internet pages). This multi-method approach
has been used in previous research on business models (Täuscher and Laudien
2018; Zott and Amit 2008). In the study presented in this chapter, multiple methods
have been used for each case, but not all methods have been used for all cases. The
collected data, including the interviews, have been analysed through categorizations
and content analysis (Täuscher and Laudien 2018).
5.5.1 Högared Milk Farm
Högared’s main business is to produce and sell milk to a large milk distributor
higher up in the value chain. Currently, there are 190 milk cows at the farm. The
company is owned by two brothers with their families. Besides the two owners,
there are six employees at the company. The company has historically experienced
few possibilities to develop and change the business model. However, during the
last decade, the owners/managers have prioritized their competence building
through several leadership and management courses and have now formulated a
new vision for the company:
5 Development of Sustainable Business Models for Innovation in the Swedish…