Sustainability in Asia: Family Business at the Forefront

Abstract

We interview the leaders of six successful family firms based in SE Asia about their efforts to make their organizations more sustainable. Although the sectors, histories, and locations of these firms differ, they share visions of sustainability rooted in continuing success for the family and the community. In reviewing these cases, we were struck by similarities in the sources that pushed these firms towards sustainability initiatives, the challenges of implementing them, and the winning strategies that helped the leaders of these firms overcome these challenges. After presenting the six cases, we develop these themes in more detail to suggest implications and consider the relevance of these efforts to global sustainability efforts.