Sustainability in International Entrepreneurship: Not Impossible but Easier Said Than Done : Exploring Sustainable Practices and the Role of Technology among Swedish and Danish International Entrepreneurs

This study explores how international entrepreneurs in Sweden and Denmark integrate sustainability into their business practices through technology. Assustainability becomes increasingly essential due to rising environmental concerns, ever-evolving regulations, and increasing stakeholder expectations, entrepreneurs are challenged to innovate their business models accordingly. Drawing from theories of sustainable business model innovation, international entrepreneurship, and technological transformation, this thesis employs a multiple case study design to examine how entrepreneurs contextualize sustainability in a real-world context. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews, focusing on sustainable practices, technological integration, barriers, motivations, and international expansion strategies. The findings reveal that sustainability can mean different things to entrepreneurs, and the sustainable practices they adopt and their motivations for doing so vary. Moreover, technology supports innovation, efficiency, and compliance. In addition, technology, personal values, stakeholder interests, and regulations emerge as key drivers of sustainability. On the other hand, financial constraints, institutional pressuresin the shape of regulations, and lack of entrepreneurial support can act as abarrier to entrepreneurs’ adoption of sustainable practices. Therefore, this study contributes to existing knowledge by providing practical insights intohow sustainability and technology intersect in international entrepreneurship, particularly in Sweden and Denmark.