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| 2. |
- Barth, Henrik, 1971-, et al.
(author)
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A Green Lean approach to global competition and climate change in the agricultural sector – A Swedish case study
- 2018
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - Amsterdam : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 204, s. 183-192
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Increased global competition in the agricultural sector is rapidly changing the structure of farms and farming. As the number of small and diversified farms (often family-owned) decreases, the number of large and specialized farms (often corporate-owned) is increasing. In this transformation, the agricultural sector is more and more concerned with strategy, innovation, and competition in the effort to be more productive and more profitable. At the same time, the sector faces demands that it become more environmentally responsible in its policies and practices. This paper proposes a Lean Implementation Framework that small and mid-size farms can use as they aim to increase production and profit and yet support environmental sustainability. This case study takes an action-oriented research approach that focuses on the implementation of a Green Lean approach at 34 Swedish farms using various Lean tools. The paper describes how training sessions, farm visits, workshops, and counseling were used to introduce the farmers to the benefits and risks of the implementation of a new business model that added Green elements to the traditional business model design. The paper concludes with recommendations for adaptations to the Framework and suggestions for future research. © 2018
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| 3. |
- Barth, Henrik, 1971-, et al.
(author)
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Busniess values and motives of immigrant agricultural entrepreneurs in Sweden
- 2019
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In: Proceedings of the 2019 International Conference "Economic science for rural development 2019" No 50. - Jelgava : University of Latvia Press. - 9789984483207 ; , s. 21-28
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The agri-food sector in Sweden, as in much of Europe, faces dramatic pressure to promote entrepreneurship, especially in rural areas where population aging and population decline pose grave economic threats to local communities. One solution is the government policy of supporting the entrepreneurial ambitions of newly arrived immigrants. The policy is seen as doubly beneficial: support for rural areas and support for immigrants not yet prepared to enter the regular workforce. Immigrant entrepreneurship seems to have the potential to lessen the harmful effects of current socio-economic challenges. This paper examines the immigrant entrepreneurship experience in the agri-food sector in Sweden. A qualitative research approach is used to evaluate interviews with 25 immigrant entrepreneurs on the various factors that motivated them to become self-employed entrepreneurs. The main factors are the lack of other employment opportunities, the desire for work autonomy and flexibility, and the chance for a better standard of living. The results show that personal characteristics and previous entrepreneurship experience are the best predictors of business success. The paper concludes with a call for a model for immigrant entrepreneurship and for more government reforms and policies aimed at supporting the immigrant entrepreneur.
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| 4. |
- Barth, Henrik, 1971-
(author)
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Diversity as a competitive advantage? A case study of Immigrant Labour in Swedish Agriculture
- 2018
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In: Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics. - West Palm Beach, FL : North American Business Press. - 1913-8059. ; 15:4, s. 130-137
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper investigates cultural diversity as means to business sustainability and competitive advantage for entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. 80 agricultural entrepreneurs have been addressed in this study, which include face-to-face meetings between entrepreneurs and candidates for employment.While supportive of the idea of cultural diversity as a beneficial element of business sustainability, most farmers stated they lacked both the time and the resources to manage the issues associated with immigrant workers. However, lack of organisational changes and managerial skills can also be a potential barrier for integration when the farm address growth and employment ambitions.
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| 5. |
- Barth, Henrik, 1971-
(author)
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Fabrication Laboratory as the Learning Environment for Higher Education
- 2019
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In: The 10th International Multi-Conferences on Complexity, Informatics and Cybernetics. March 12-15, Orlando, Florida, USA. - Orlando : International Institute of Informatics and Systemics. - 9781950492039 ; , s. 194-196
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a growing trend of using digital production, such as additive manufacturing, in direct consumer markets. Digital production enables new and advanced tools, which provide shorter development time and lower cost for manufacturing. In this paper we focus on the education and learning environment for digital production and prototyping at a fabrication laboratory (FabLab). FabLab (Fabrication Laboratory) is a small-scale innovation space offering digital fabrication and production. A FabLab is, among many things, a platform for learning and exchanging experience when experimenting and developing new solutions. FabLabs bring together students, researchers and teachers as well as industrial partners in a single physical location for the purposes of designing, prototyping, and do-it-yourself manufacturing. This explorative and creative environment provide insights to knowledge creation, based on the constructive learning theory, which address active involvement by the participants. To take full advantage of this creative learning environment, aspects such as student characteristics, the nature of the subject matter, and the teaching carried out by the staff, also needs to be addressed. © 2019 International Institute of Informatics and Systemics
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| 6. |
- Barth, Henrik, 1971-
(author)
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Immigrant Labour in Swedish Agriculture : A Sustainable Business Model Innovation
- 2018
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper investigates cultural diversity as means to business sustainability and competitive advantage for entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. The paper focuses on challenges and barriers in immigrant workforce integration as revealed by a year-long project conducted among farmers in the region of Halland (on Sweden’s southwest coast). The paper reports on a matchmaking project between farmers seeking employees and job seekers (immigrants) seeking employment. The project began with interviews with 80 farmers and continued with an exploratory meeting with 42 farmers, four discussion meetings with 16 farmers, and face-to-face meetings between farmers and candidates for employment. The project concluded with follow-up interviews with the 42 farmers. While 42 of the 80 farmers were interested in exploring the benefits of immigrant workforce integration, the others (53%) declined further participation in the project. Ultimately, one farmer hired three immigrants. While supportive of the idea of cultural diversity as a beneficial element of business sustainability, most farmers stated they lacked both the time and the resources to manage the issues associated with immigrant workers such as their lack of technical and mechanical skills, and the language differences.
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| 7. |
- Barth, Henrik, 1971-, et al.
(author)
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Sustainable Development for Food Waste : A Case Study of Catered Meal Service at Schools and Elderly Care homes
- 2019
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In: Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability. - West Palm Beach, FL : North American Business Press. - 1718-2077. ; 14:2, s. 21-34
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Food waste is an important topic in the context of sustainable development. Although many studies have addressed this topic, there is still limited knowledge owing to insufficient data. This study reports on food waste in two institutional settings in a Swedish municipality: schools and elderly care homes. The findings suggest it is easier to measure and reduce food waste in stable environments, such as exist at schools, than at environments characterized by change and unpredictability, such as exist at elderly care homes. Specific areas examined and compared include cooking and receiving kitchens, infrastructure, communications, and support. © North American Business Press.
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| 8. |
- Barth, Henrik, 1971-, et al.
(author)
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The use and abuse of 3D-printing from a business model perspective
- 2016
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The paper analyses changes in user activities and behaviour across different types of actors following the introduction of 3D printers. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, has been claimed to disrupt manufacturing, allowing firms to move from prototyping to full-scale end-part production and replacement part production in a one-step process. 3D printing has many different uses, for example, the manufacturing of toys, shoes, lamps and fashion accessories, and by implication many different types of users and buyers. There are few empirical studies on the types of uses and users of 3D, hampering our understanding in what ways the 3D printers may change the behaviour of users, and whether 3D printers affect the likelihood and the nature of entrepreneurship or business model innovation. To investigate this, a model was created based on the 3DP literature. The model is applied on a distributor customer database and four interview-based illustrative case studies. The empirical findings show that the use of 3DP a) lowers the knowledge and resource barriers for experimentation and entrepreneurial entry, b) increases product and concept prototyping in product development, c) provides a potential for business model innovation by expanding the boundaries of the firm upstream and downstream, and d) becomes a ticket for entrepreneurial entry. Based on our results, the paper suggests that the potential of 3D printers alter user innovative activities is high but most of the potential is latent.
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| 9. |
- Barth, Henrik, 1971-, et al.
(author)
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The use and abuse of 3D printing - Towards a mobile business model framework
- 2019
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In: International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications. - Ghaziabad : International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications. - 2248-9622. ; 9:11, s. 1-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The paper aim to clarify changes in user activities and behaviour across different types of actors following the development of 3D printers. It proposes a mobile business model and outlining the features of development for direct digital manufacturing.The exploratory study show that the use of 3D printing a) lowers the knowledge and resource barriers for experimentation and entrepreneurial entry, b) increases product and concept prototyping in product development, c) provides a potential for business model innovation by expanding the boundaries of the firm upstream and downstream, and d) becomes a ticket for entrepreneurial entry
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| 10. |
- Barth, Henrik, 1971-, et al.
(author)
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Towards a Conceptual Framework of Sustainable Business Model Innovation in the Agri-Food Sector : A Systematic Literature Review
- 2017
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In: Sustainability. - Basel : M D P I AG. - 2071-1050. ; 9:9
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper aims to increase our understanding of sustainable business model innovation in the agri-food sector in terms of its theoretical and practical approaches for sustainability and their degree of complexity and maturity. The paper is based on a systematic literature review of 570 journal articles on business models and business model innovation published between 1990 and 2014. Of these articles, only 21 have business model innovation as their main focus. The review shows that research interest in the agri-food sector has increased in these years. The paper proposes a conceptual framework for sustainable business model innovation in the agri-food sector that can be used to meet the challenges encountered in taking a sustainability perspective. © 2017 by the authors
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