From Sustainability Ambition to Decision-Making in Practice

Abstract

This thesis examines how sustainability ambitions are integrated into organisational decision-making in a project-based real estate development company. While sus tainability is often expressed as a strategic priority, its influence in practice depends on how it is translated into business-relevant and decision-relevant value. The study is based on a qualitative single-case study of a Swedish real estate developer, using semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The findings show that sustain ability ambitions are shaped by external requirements, internal priorities, business model alignment, and project-level conditions. Sustainability gains influence when it can be connected to customer value, competitiveness, regulation, risk reduction, or measurable outcomes such as certifications, climate targets, and KPIs. However, financial constraints, project budgets, and uncertainty often limit how far sustain ability ambitions are implemented. The thesis concludes that sustainability integra tion is a conditional process in which ambitions must be translated, justified, and supported by organisational structures, management direction, competence, collab oration, and individual engagement in order to influence decisions in practice.