INTEGRATING EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OF TWO CORPORATIONS IN SWEDEN

Abstract

Aim: This study analyses how Swedish multinationals IKEA and Volvo embed sustainability in their corporate strategies through community programs, focusing on collaborative strategybuilding, knowledge sharing, and positive social and economic impact. Theory: The study applies Education and Sustainable Development (ESD), Actor Network Theory (ANT), and Community of Practice (CoP) frameworks to explore how sustainability is integrated into organisational learning and community programs. ESD views sustainability education as participatory knowledge sharing; ANT examines networks of human and nonhuman actors; CoP focuses on collective learning in communities. Combined, these helps analyse how IKEA and Volvo operationalise sustainability aligned with Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Method: Using a comparative case study approach, the research analyses IKEA and Volvo’s 2022– 2024 sustainability reports through manifest and latent content analysis. Thematic coding focused on concepts like community programs, network building, and SDG alignment. AIassisted scanning together with manual review was used to achieve rigor in coding and thematizing document data in line with the research questions. Results: IKEA and Volvo both integrate sustainability into their community programs, but with distinct approaches. IKEA focuses on social equity, human rights, and inclusion, aiding vulnerable groups through social entrepreneurship and partnerships with organisations. Volvo prioritises governance, education, vocational training, and supply chain sustainability through formal stakeholder dialogues. Both companies align with SDGs, including quality education, gender equality, decent work, and reduced inequalities. Challenges include knowledge sharing barriers, cultural differences, and transparency. Recommendations involve improving inclusion, formalising boundary spanners, integrating behavioural science, and addressing emerging issues like digital ethics and climate resilience.