Umeå Sustainability Prize for theses in business administration 2026

John Pettersson and William Di Francesco, Luleå University of Technology.

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The winning thesis makes a rigorous and empirically grounded contribution by advancing understanding of how green innovations can be developed and scaled through the interplay of system-level conditions and firm-level capabilities, offering valuable insights for businesses and policymakers navigating industrial sustainability transitions.

– It feels truly honourable to receive this award. It is a meaningful acknowledgement that our efforts have led to valuable insights for companies, policymakers and researchers working with green innovations, says John.

The thesis focuses on the innovation system surrounding biocarbon for metallurgy in Sweden. The analysis shows that the system is characterised by challenges related to market formation and resource mobilisation, two barriers commonly faced by early-stage green innovations. At the same time, the study identifies both strengths and weaknesses in the current system configuration, as well as the dynamic capabilities that companies need to develop in order to successfully contribute to, and benefit from, the transition.

– Biocarbon will be necessary for a fully fossil-free future steel and metal production, but there is currently a lack of large-scale biocarbon production, says John.

The interest in the topic was sparked by the extensive green transformation taking place in Sweden, with the steel industry at its core. They also sought to explore why green innovations often struggle to compete with established linear business models in terms of cost and scale. Through the HåBiMet project at the metallurgy research institute Swerim, they gained access to a wide range of stakeholders within a formative innovation system, providing unique conditions for the study.

– At a time when sustainability issues are not always as highly prioritised as before, it feels particularly important to demonstrate how green innovations can actually be scaled and become competitive, says John.

Working on the thesis also involved methodological challenges. Halfway through the process, the authors decided to change their main theoretical framework – a decision that required considerable effort but ultimately strengthened the analysis. According to John, this was made possible through strong teamwork and close support from their supervisor.

Since graduating, John has started working as a management consultant at Macklean, focusing on sustainability and business development within the food industry and green sectors. William is currently a researcher at Swerim and is involved in several research projects focusing on systems perspectives, sustainability and industrial resilience.

– I find it very exciting to work across sectors and to contribute to the development of sustainable material flows of the future, concludes William.

Honourable mention

The jury directs an honorable mention to two exceptional theses. As a runner-up, “Making Sense of Regeneration: Rethinking Business on Gotland”, by Florian Schlick, Éva Tóth-Szolnoki and Hao Wu, Uppsala University. Third place goes to “Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive – Lessons from due diligence legislations in the fashion industry”, written by Linnéa Waninger, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

The jury

ROBUST expresses sincere gratitude to this year’s jury that consisted of Professor Karin Berglund (Örebro University), Maxim Vlasov (Umeå University), and Siarhei Manzhynski (Umeå University), and representatives from Umeå Energi: Sara Ekenstedt and Magnus Stenvall.

Important collaboration

The prize, which is handed out as a scholarship worth 25,000 SEK, has been made financially possible through collaboration with Umeå Energi AB. 

– Umeå Energi wants to be a positive force in sustainable development of the Umeå region. With this scholarship, we want to encourage students in business administration to deeply engage in sustainability. The winning thesis is of high relevance for the opportunities and challenges of green energy transitions that are unfolding in our region, says Magnus Stenvall, Umeå Energi AB.

Read more about the thesis prize and the criteria underpinning the jury’s decision on our webpage:

Umeå sustainability prize for theses in business administration