Integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into the city’s strategic work
Pitkänen, Tia-Tuulia (2024)
Pitkänen, Tia-Tuulia
2024
Master's Programme in Leadership for Change
Johtamisen ja talouden tiedekunta - Faculty of Management and Business
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2024-04-19
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202404113460
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202404113460
Tiivistelmä
The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is a complex undertaking. Local governments, particularly cities, are emerging as pivotal agents in promoting sustainability and accelerating its development at the local level. Cities are widely acknowledged as key stakeholders in sustainable development and the SDG implementation. They can navigate through the complexities of SDG localization and address the unique challenges inherent in this process. However, despite this recognition, there are significant challenges in integrating these goals into existing strategies and frameworks. Therefore, this master’s thesis aims to understand how two Finnish cities have integrated the global objectives into their strategic work.
The objective of this master’s thesis is to investigate how the cities of Helsinki and Tampere have integrated the SDGs into their strategic management processes. The research will explore the impact of the SDGs in strategic management and identify challenges encountered in the integration process. Additionally, the study seeks to understand the role of the Voluntary Local Review in this integration process and asses the future sustainability directions of these cities. The research uses qualitative research methods. The primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with six city officials who are directly involved or associated with the SDG integration. The data was analyzed by using thematic analysis.
The key findings revealed that the SDG integration is a multifaceted process with no unified integration approach. The process mirrors the cyclical strategic management process in which diverse localization strategies and tools are utilized, underscoring the importance of collaboration. However, challenges arise due to the absence of frameworks for the localization of the goals, the influence of political leadership, and the nature of council terms. Furthermore, the findings disclosed that the VLR showcases as a crucial support tool that demonstrates the cities' commitment to the SDGs. It helps to evaluate, monitor, and guide sustainability strategies in these cities, acting as a driver for change, and showcasing its growing importance in the future. The integration of the SDGs requires local governments to develop flexible and resilient strategies tailored to their unique context.
This master’s thesis contributes to the broader discussion of sustainable development in the context of local governments. It provides an outlook how two growing Finnish cities are incorporating the SDGs and VLR within their strategic work. These findings provide valuable insights not only for local governments but also within the broader public administration context. Offering insights and application for sustainable development integrations and strategic decision-making across diverse public administration settings and organizational structures.
The objective of this master’s thesis is to investigate how the cities of Helsinki and Tampere have integrated the SDGs into their strategic management processes. The research will explore the impact of the SDGs in strategic management and identify challenges encountered in the integration process. Additionally, the study seeks to understand the role of the Voluntary Local Review in this integration process and asses the future sustainability directions of these cities. The research uses qualitative research methods. The primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with six city officials who are directly involved or associated with the SDG integration. The data was analyzed by using thematic analysis.
The key findings revealed that the SDG integration is a multifaceted process with no unified integration approach. The process mirrors the cyclical strategic management process in which diverse localization strategies and tools are utilized, underscoring the importance of collaboration. However, challenges arise due to the absence of frameworks for the localization of the goals, the influence of political leadership, and the nature of council terms. Furthermore, the findings disclosed that the VLR showcases as a crucial support tool that demonstrates the cities' commitment to the SDGs. It helps to evaluate, monitor, and guide sustainability strategies in these cities, acting as a driver for change, and showcasing its growing importance in the future. The integration of the SDGs requires local governments to develop flexible and resilient strategies tailored to their unique context.
This master’s thesis contributes to the broader discussion of sustainable development in the context of local governments. It provides an outlook how two growing Finnish cities are incorporating the SDGs and VLR within their strategic work. These findings provide valuable insights not only for local governments but also within the broader public administration context. Offering insights and application for sustainable development integrations and strategic decision-making across diverse public administration settings and organizational structures.