Sustainability in the hierarchy: how corporate sustainability is anchored in the organisational structure

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to contribute to our understanding of corporate sustainability practice by looking at where and how corporate sustainability is anchored in the organisational structure. An empirical case study finds three main anchors for corporate sustainability: with the board of directors, in the executive management, and in a specialised corporate sustainability unit. Based in case study findings, the article explores how the different anchors practice their corporate sustainability mandates. Directing attention to the different anchor points can increase chances of successfully integrating sustainability into core business practices, a main goal of strategic corporate sustainability. This study contributes to the literature by illuminating where responsibility for corporate sustainability is placed in the organisational structure, and exploring key tasks and practices for each of the anchor points.