Sustainability and Logistics Organizations in Sweden

Abstract: Sweden is an eco-modernist society where environmental, social and economic growth support each other. It is an industrialized country where the trade via road has tremendously increased. Road freight is a fundamental issue of sustainability because it is environmentally, socially and economically very challenging to move the product from the origin to end user. In addition to road freight, all components of logistics system are necessary to take into account in order to move the product form the origin to consumer. All logistics components have environmental, social and economic impact because there is a relationship between sustainability and organizational activities. In this dissertation, by using inductive approach, it has been analyzed that how the logistics organizations in Sweden are dealing with sustainability issues. The practices of the companies related to environmental sustainability and social sustainability are effective, technically feasible and economically viable. Organizations are working on the behalf of their sustainable integrated business plan that is simultaneously valuable for the environment, people and for the company itself in terms of profitability. For the firms, sustainable integrated business plan means that their strategies to earn profit reflect the environmental and social sustainability as well. The both environmental and social strategies are actually the regulators of the value chain of the organization with a vision to get profitability. These strategies engender the proficiency and competency into the company to remain profitable and competitive in the market. Doing business in a way that the society and the environment would not be harmed is actually economically beneficial for the organization because it actually helps the organization in reducing its cost. Each pillar of sustainability is important to sustain another pillar. Economic sustainability is important to improve environmental and social sustainability however, environmental and social sustainability are the key to achieve economic sustainability. Above all, it has been found that economic sustainability is not only dependent upon environment and society but also on the target market, business trend and other measures. Some futuristic concerns of the organizations regarding sustainability have also been found and all organizations are determinant to achieve more sustainability on the basis of those futuristic concerns.