Miljöcertifiering som ett verktyg för hållbart företagande – En fallstudie av hur ett företags intressenter värderar en BREEAM-certifiering

Abstract

Background: Today there is no doubt whether companies should work with sustainability issues rather than how to. Environmental management and certification are tools when working with sustainability that forces companies to think long-term and cooperative. Kjellgren Kaminsky Arcitechture which current goal is to get a BREEAM-certification. Their hope is to increase interest in these issues in the industry. Purpose: The purpose with this bachelor thesis is to examine how Kjellgren Kaminskys stakeholders value an environmental certification according to the standard BREEAM. Furthermore, the aim is to find out what it is that distinguishes Kjellgren Kaminsky Architecture in the industry and what conditions in the company that creates competitive advantages. Methodology: The thesis is designed as a qualitative case study of the architectural firm Kjellgren Kaminsky Architecture. The method used from purpose to conclusion is semi-structured interviews, literature studies of previous research in the area of legitimacy, value creation and competitive advantage, and analysis to link empirics and theory. We have chosen to structure the analysis in an external and internal perspective; how BREEAM-certification possibly alters the firms positioning in the industry and how the certification, with help of capital and resources within the company creates competitive advantages. Conclusion: The study’s overall conclusion is that stakeholders have a positive view of environmental certification, but it does not alter the existing partner relationship with Kjellgren Kaminsky Architecture. Both the internal and external analysis clarify that it is the knowledge and organizational conditions which are the company´s strengths within the company and the way to differentiate themselves from competitors. Finally, the study shows that the environmental certification alone does not fulfil the criteria to be classified as a competitive advantage, which together with other factors create a social complexity that enables Kjellgren Kaminsky Architecture to create a competitive advantage and acquire a utility position in the industry.