Institutional Pressures and Sustainable Business Practices: A Case of Strategic Environmental Management

Abstract

Sustainability and environmental conservation have become key concerns for the developing and developed world, prompting firms to embrace sustainable business practices. The recent decade has witnessed a rise in environmental sustainability consciousness, with businesses and legislators incorporating environmental aspects into their strategic planning and practices. Strategic environmental management emphasizes the implementation of environmental management strategies through the incorporation of environmental concerns into business plans and decisions. This study proposes to investigate the isomorphic pressures that influence organizational behaviour and the significant determinants for addressing sustainable business practices. The qualitative research design is adopted and data is primarily collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings of this study from four significant service sectors highlighted various certifications, business requirements, corporate image and corporate social responsibility as the driving forces behind strategic environmental management. Legislations from government the appeared as the most influential factor to assume responsibility for the environment and society by the firms.