Abstract
PurposeMost scholars acknowledge the role of firm-stakeholder relationship for enabling corporate sustainability (CS), but existing literature tends to apply a superficial understanding of interaction. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to advance knowledge by challenging classical stakeholder theory with fundamental insights from the IMP perspective, which in turn leads to a deeper conceptualization of interactive CS.Design/methodology/approachA typology framework is developed through an abductive research design grounded in the concepts of actors, resources, and activities. The authors illustrate the potential of the framework through a longitudinal case study. The empirical case revolves around an initiative for recycling of plastic material in a partly beforehand established supply chain, and the study reveals three main findings.FindingsFirst, recycling solutions can result in major technological challenges. For example, using recycled material can jeopardize industrial quality standards. Second, third-party stakeholders represent critical knowledge and competence that can remedy technological challenges. Finally, R&D projects are important means for developing firm-stakeholder relationships.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper introduces IMP concepts to the CS debate, which can illuminate the emerging literature on tensions and paradoxes related to CS phenomena. Further research is needed on the role of non-business actors as capacity generators for social and environmental change in traditional business networks.Practical implicationsThe proposed framework can be used to analyze why some stakeholders (individuals and groups) turn into contributing actors in inter-organizational relationships, while others remain latent.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates the usefulness of actor bonds, resource ties and activity links as explanatory concepts. Moreover, developed relationships in terms of collaboration and networks represent a capacity to change, which is overlooked in current CS debates.
Highlights
The last three decades have shown an accelerating awareness and interest in dealing with the social and environmental consequences of business activities
2.1 Positioning in a blurred conceptual landscape Before we explore how corporate sustainability” (CS) can be applied for the purpose of this paper, it is necessary to touch upon the related concept of “corporate social responsibility” (CSR)
This paper’s position is that the physical reality, i.e. material and energy flows, must be included as boundary conditions in scientific analysis of business operations. This adheres to the CS concept because while CSR can be understood as a social construct based on inter-subjective negotiations in a certain context (Dahlsrud, 2008), CS is influenced by a realist tradition where environmental and physical limitations of the planet are seen as fundamental for knowledge debates and scientific analysis (Bansal and Song, 2017; Whiteman et al, 2013)
Summary
The last three decades have shown an accelerating awareness and interest in dealing with the social and environmental consequences of business activities. This paper’s position is that the physical reality, i.e. material and energy flows, must be included as boundary conditions in scientific analysis of business operations This adheres to the CS concept because while CSR can be understood as a social construct based on inter-subjective negotiations in a certain context (Dahlsrud, 2008), CS is influenced by a realist tradition where environmental and physical limitations of the planet are seen as fundamental for knowledge debates and scientific analysis (Bansal and Song, 2017; Whiteman et al, 2013). This definition establishes an ontological core of how the concept of CS should be corporate interpreted, by putting environmental concerns at its center
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