Implementation Of Sustainability Initiatives Research Articles

Multinational Enterprise Strategies for Addressing Sustainability: the Need for Consolidation

This paper examines the growing number of publications on multinational enterprise management of sustainability issues. Based on an integrative literature review and thematic analysis, the paper analyses and synthesises the current state of knowledge about main issues arising. Key issues identified include the following: choice of sustainability strategies; management of the views of headquarters towards sustainability; local cultural sustainability perspectives in developed and developing host countries; MNEs with home in developing/emerging countries; and resource availability for implementing sustainability initiatives. Findings indicate that although the literature is tending towards growing acceptance about sustainability and its challenges most researchers have focused on corporate social responsibility and investigate their own niche problem, industry, and country, using their own chosen theory and do not consider the need for consolidation and integration of social, environmental and economic performance. Avenues for future research are identified which will provide a means for the ethical foundations of theory and practice to be improved.

Development of sustainability in public sector procurement

Public organizations are increasingly adding environmental and social aspects in their strategic agendas. This paper focuses on the actors and factors that influence the speed of implementation of sustainability initiatives. Four healthcare organizations in The Netherlands were studied. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with top management, budget owners and procurement professionals. Although top management assigned strategic importance to sustainability initiatives, budget owners had the final say in implementation. Procurement professionals had very little influence on the implementation process of sustainability.

The effects of construal level and small wins framing on an individual's commitment to an environmental initiative

Organizations are increasingly focused on improving the environmental sustainability of their operations, products, and services. To implement sustainability initiatives, organizations often seek commitment from their members to volunteer discretionary time and effort toward reaching the initiative's goals. This research sought to understand whether construal level and small wins strategy might affect goal commitment toward a sustainability initiative. Using a scenario-based 2 × 2 factorial design experiment with 133 university students, we manipulated construal level and small wins strategy while measuring participants' environmental concern, perceptions of organizational efficacy, and goal commitment. Goal difficulty, gender, and age were included as control variables. Individuals with higher environmental concern had higher commitment to the organization's initiative, but this relationship was moderated, with both a high level of construal and the use of small wins strategy strengthening that relationship. Perceived organizational efficacy was also found to increase goal commitment, and women exhibited greater goal commitment than men.

Measuring the Choice of Environmental Sustainability Strategies in Creating a Competitive Advantage

AbstractEnvironmental sustainability has often been claimed as a means to providing a competitive advantage by encouraging efficiencies, attracting customers and obtaining business. This work critically considers this idea in the context of the hotel industry by comparing the strategic intent and implementation of sustainability initiatives in hotels across North America. Environmental sustainability strategies can employ a low cost, a differentiated or a hybrid (a combination of the two) approach to creating a competitive advantage. Controlling for the type and age of hotel we find that the hotels sampled in this study used a combination of all three approaches but tended to rely on their need to create environmental sustainability legitimacy by placing an emphasis on differentiation through environmental sustainability branding. A lack of recognition by management of the contribution to their future economic success that low cost strategies can provide has implications for hotel owners. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Drivers for embedding sustainability strategies within the Abu Dhabi public sector organisation: an empirical study

Public sector organisations are being encouraged to embed sustainably strategies, to reduce their environmental footprint and improve social responsibility. A critical review of literature indicate that there is no empirical research reported on the key drivers for implementing sustainability initiatives in Abu Dhabi public sector organisations, which is the core objective of this paper. Given the relatively new and unexplored nature of the research problem, the qualitative research methodology was adopted. In total, 60 semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which was then analysed using content analysis for inference and conclusion. The data analysis revealed five key drivers that have fuelled the need for implementing sustainability initiatives. A complex mix of political, economic, social and environmental forces drives the Abu Dhabi public sector organisations to embed sustainability initiatives. Therefore, before organisations imbed sustainability initiatives they need to understand and recognise key drivers, which are pushing them towards implementation in order for them to be competitive.

Drivers for embedding sustainability strategies within the Abu Dhabi public sector organisation: an empirical study

Public sector organisations are being encouraged to embed sustainably strategies, to reduce their environmental footprint and improve social responsibility. A critical review of literature indicate that there is no empirical research reported on the key drivers for implementing sustainability initiatives in Abu Dhabi public sector organisations, which is the core objective of this paper. Given the relatively new and unexplored nature of the research problem, the qualitative research methodology was adopted. In total, 60 semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which was then analysed using content analysis for inference and conclusion. The data analysis revealed five key drivers that have fuelled the need for implementing sustainability initiatives. A complex mix of political, economic, social and environmental forces drives the Abu Dhabi public sector organisations to embed sustainability initiatives. Therefore, before organisations imbed sustainability initiatives they need to understand and recognise key drivers, which are pushing them towards implementation in order for them to be competitive.

A conceptual re-visualization of the adoption and utilization of the Pillars of Sustainability in the development of Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools

Market-driven industry frameworks such as Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools serve as important guidelines in the design and implementation of sustainability initiatives in communities, neighbourhoods etc. Currently, most developing nations have no be-spoke tool for their sustainable urban development. The need for such a tool is to sustainably address issues of climate change and the effects that rapid urbanization has on these nations. To address this issue, the development of Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools for these countries or regions is imperative but this must be done with a detailed understanding of the effects, dynamics and context that sustainability initiatives will have on the selected country. Hence, this paper develops a relational model called the Sustainability Pathway Model which categories and investigates the successes and shortcomings of already developed Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools such as CASBEE-UD, BREEAM Communities, IGBC and GBI, in order to implement optimal Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools that exploits the successes of these tools, whilst avoiding their pitfalls. This model is thus able to give a detailed illustration of how the Pillars of Sustainability are reflected in various indicators adopted by different Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools. The use of the Sustainability Pathway Model as a starting point in the development of Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools in Sub-Saharan Africa is also highlighted.

The greening of organizational culture: revisited fifteen years later

PurposeOrganizations have viewed sustainability as a societal problem and unrelated to business. To recognize sustainability as an organizational issue requires companies to deal with the challenge of transforming into environmentally sustainable enterprises. This requires institutions to align mission statements with values. The purpose of this paper is to replicate previous research in sustainability and the cultural facets which impact the process.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study method was used to analyze 25 organizations within the US Midwest with various contexts to determine how their respective cultures impacted their change initiatives. Specifically, the authors spoke to sustainability change agents with regard to their leadership and culture, and the factors that are conducive to (or barriers to) implementing sustainability initiatives.FindingsThe original study demonstrated the presence of seven contextual conditions which are important in the process of imbedding sustainability within the institution. This research found the same dimensions to be present; however, they manifested differently 15 years later.Practical implicationsThe original research offered a somewhat dark picture of the sustainability change initiatives within organizations. The current study however; offers a much more positive perspective which demonstrates organizations appear to have progressed with regard to sustainability.Originality/valueThis is a replication study whereby we discovered similar themes as to the nature of contextual factors that can hinder or advance sustainability initiatives; however, the findings 15 years later show a marked difference in the current state of affairs and the ability to implement sustainability initiatives.

Carbon emission reduction decisions in the retail-/dual-channel supply chain with consumers' preference

The reduction of carbon emission has become an inevitable trend and a world-wide consensus. Under the low-carbon environment, it is an important task for supply chain members to reduce carbon emissions through low-carbon progressing. This paper focuses on the emission reduction behaviors for the chain members in both the retail-channel and dual-channel cases using the Stackelberg game model. The paper analyzes a detailed model which incorporates both cap-and-trade regulation and consumers' low-carbon preference. The results suggest that when the degree of consumers' low-carbon sensitivity satisfies certain conditions, the introduction of the online channel is profitable for the manufacturer. In addition, the cap-and-trade mechanism is acceptable for supply chain members when consumers have strong low-carbon preference. Furthermore, two emission reduction strategies are compared, including single manufacturer's emission reduction in production strategy and joint emission reduction strategy, of which entails manufacturer's and retailer's emission reduction. It can be concluded that the joint emission reduction strategy is more profitable for both the manufacturer and the retailer. When considering consumers' low-carbon preference, the retailer always has motivation to implement low-carbon promotion though without the manufacturer's incentives. The low-carbon promotion can help achieve emission reduction goals, promote economic development and social progress. The results can provide useful insights for policy-makers to implement effective regulations and for decision-makers to implement sustainability initiatives.

Sustainability challenges and opportunities arising from the owner-operator split in hotels

The hotel industry is often thought of as something of a laggard in the implementation of sustainability initiatives. In this conceptual paper, we examine this assertion in a new context: models of hotel ownership and operation. We focus on current trends in the latter toward ‘asset light’ ownership/operation configurations, materializing in so-called hotel management contracts. It is established that whereas hotel management contracts usually favor the control and manage paradigm, add additional stakeholders and encompass stakeholder detachment, these characteristics of a separation of ownership and operation actually hinder instatement and application of the values-driven collaborative learning processes needed to further sustainable development. Finally, the need to follow up this conceptual discussion with empirical research – focusing on validating, refining and/or adding to the three key issues identified here – is highlighted and key issues for future research are identified.

A Behavioral Theory of Sustainable Supply Chain Management Decision Making in Non‐exemplar Firms

Empirical evidence shows that investments in sustainable supply chain management can improve economic‐based performance. Thus, based on standard economic theory, rational business decision makers should and will implement sustainable supply chain management practices. However, through inductive research methods, we uncovered an intriguing theme that runs counter to both the existing empirical evidence and such economic‐based assumptions. We find that managers operating in firms without exemplary sustainable supply chain management practices face immense hurdles in developing a business case for implementing sustainability initiatives. Despite the lack of such practices—and in tension with the prevailing empirical evidence and theory—the firms within which these managers operate were performing well on economic‐based performance metrics. Departing from the neoclassical economic theory of the firm, we apply the Behavioral Theory of the Firm's theoretical assumptions to findings which suggest four segments of managers in non‐exemplary firms who vary based primarily on how they perceive strategic vulnerability, evaluate choices, and utilize sustainability knowledge.

Transport policy and governance in turbulent times: Evidence from Ireland

This paper investigates transport policy in the Republic of Ireland11Henceforth referred to as Ireland. before, during and after the ‘Celtic Tiger’ era (1995–2007), to capture how the prevailing governance system responded to rapid economic, political, and social changes. We argue that a detailed record of changes in Irish transport policy and governance during these turbulent times can offer lessons that are relevant to sustainable transport efforts internationally. Focusing on the development, introduction and subsequent implementation of two transport policy milestones, this paper considers political and institutional conditions that paved the way for both a high-cost approach to transport infrastructure development prior to the financial crisis in 2008 and the subsequent shift in policy discourse towards ‘smarter’ more sustainable travel following the rapid deterioration of public finances in the late 2000s. It then asks what changes (if any) are needed to current political-institutional structures to ensure future implementation of these declaratory commitments to sustainable transport. The concluding section explores whether it would be possible, or indeed desirable, to put current transport policy responses to the economic crisis on a more permanent footing, with a view to advancing the sustainable transport agenda, and uncovers opportunities to promote and implement sustainability initiatives in times of financial restraints.

National cultural values, sustainability beliefs, and organizational initiatives

Purpose – Organizations are implementing sustainability initiatives in different countries with varied socio-cultural systems. The literature on sustainability, however, does not present a clear picture of how national culture can influence interpretations of the meaning of sustainability and how these differences in interpretation can result in different sustainability practices. The purpose of this paper is to build upon the current literature by identifying mechanisms (i.e. sustainability beliefs and perceptions) that mediate the relationship between national cultural values and organizational sustainability initiatives. Design/methodology/approach – The authors examine the literature on culture and sustainability practices, and develop a conceptual model that identifies how cultural values influence the sustainability initiatives of organizations. Several propositions are identified that specify relationships among the constructs, and guidelines are provided for testing the model in future research. Findings – The model posits that national culture influences sustainability beliefs and perceptions, which in turn influence the quantity and scope of sustainability initiatives. The relationship between sustainability beliefs and organizational sustainability initiatives is moderated by sustainability orientation and organizational capacity. Originality/value – The model can help researchers and practitioners better understand the meaning of sustainability in the context of international business by identifying the mechanisms that explain the link between culture and sustainability. It can also help researchers generate hypotheses for future research. Finally, the model can guide multinational corporations attempting to drive sustainability programs through their subsidiaries as well as international developmental agencies trying to develop programs in partnership with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Corporate sustainability approaches and governance mechanisms in sustainable supply chain management

The role of governance from a sustainable supply chain management perspective is receiving more attention from scholars and practitioners. However, several aspects still remain unclear including how corporate sustainability approaches are implemented and aligned with governance mechanisms at the supply chain level. With the aim of filling this gap in the literature, an empirical investigation is proposed by analysing seven case studies through the lenses of contingency theory, the strategic alignment perspective and the resource-based view of organisations. Findings include the characterisation of three sustainability profiles, namely sustainability leaders, sustainability practitioners and traditionalists; a classification of the governance mechanisms on the basis of their level of collaboration and formalisation; the identification of factors that enable governance mechanisms. The empirical results are useful to practitioners seeking to implement sustainability initiatives at the supply chain level, and to scholars for further theory development and refinement.

Global sustainability pressures and strategic choice: The role of firms’ structures and non-market capabilities in selection and implementation of sustainability initiatives

Through the comparative analysis of sustainable development (SD) strategies of three Spanish electric utilities, we explore how differences in electricity production technologies and non-market capabilities of these companies resulted in substantial differences in the degree and nature of their SD involvement over time. This longitudinal study of SD strategies highlights the pluralism of SD commitment interpretations and reveals the non-deterministic nature of SD strategy evolution. While some differences in companies’ strategic choices could be explained by their existing production capacity constraints, the evolution of SD commitment interpretations and SD actions reflect strategic choices grounded in non-market capabilities of the firms.

Community responses to the removal of bottled water on a university campus

Purpose– This paper aimed to examine the impact of the removal of bottled water on the campus community. This paper presents the findings of a survey conducted at the first Australian university to remove single-use bottled water from sale on a small regional university campus. The removal of bottled water from sale at the university formed part of the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability.Design/methodology/approach– The study was conducted substantially by undergraduate students who participated in an action learning project in which they assisted in the design, implementation and analysis of an online snapshot survey made available to all staff and students of the university.Findings– The results indicated some evidence of changes to pro-environmental behaviors such as increased use of re-fillable bottles, but there were less desirable outcomes such as drinking less water. Community perceptions were dramatically polarized. Restrictions on freedom of choice, concerns about health as a result of increased use of high-sugar drinks and the continued availability of other plastic drink bottles were provided as strong objections to the removal of bottled water from sale on campus.Practical implications– The study provides useful insights for university sustainability planners and administrators about the complex range of issues associated with the implementation of sustainability initiatives on a university campus.Originality/value– While extensive literature exists about the environmental impacts of bottled water, few studies have explored the impacts or community responses to the removal of bottled water in the university context.

Going Green: One Library's Journey Toward Sustainability

The Duke University Medical Center Library created and implemented a sustainability plan as a way of contributing to the University's institutional goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2024. An internal working group coordinated efforts to implement more environmentally friendly practices, create awareness of the importance of this project, and obtain staff buy-in. As a result, the Library was awarded the University's Green Workplace certification. This article will share not only the process for implementing sustainability initiatives, but will also detail some practices that other libraries can achieve.

The maturity of supply chain sustainability disclosure from a continuous improvement perspective

Purpose – From a continuous improvement perspective, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the levels of maturity attained by organisations in reporting their supply chain (as well as non-supply chain) sustainability initiatives. It also investigates the extent to which supply chain sustainability (SCS) disclosure varies between different business sectors, as well as the degree of interconnection between various sustainability criteria. Subsequently, it proposes an improvement framework for reporting and implementing sustainability initiatives across the supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – To carry out this investigation, corporate sustainability reports of selected companies in ten different industries are downloaded and assessed. The paper uses content analysis and principal component analysis to study the disclosure maturity levels of the different industrial sectors. Findings – The paper's results show that the disclosure maturity level is higher in business-to-consumer industries than i...

Exploring the ambiguity: what faculty leaders really think of sustainability in higher education

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how a cohort of university faculty leaders in Canadian universities conceptualize sustainable development, sustainable universities, the role universities play in achieving a sustainable future, key issues facing the university, and the barriers to implementing sustainability initiatives on campus.Design/methodology/approachResearch was collected through in‐depth interviews with university faculty leaders from university members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Interviews included both closed and open‐ended questions and two checklists focused on sustainable development and sustainable universities. Interview transcripts are analyzed through the identification of respondent themes and using N'Vivo software.FindingsThe majority of participants demonstrated they had previously given thought to their own understanding of sustainable development, but less had thought about the term sustainable university. The majority of participants would like to see their institutions incorporate sustainability in the avenues of education, research and daily operations. Participants agreed that the most obvious barriers to sustainability were financial and that leadership, incentive and demand are required to move forward with improving sustainability at universities.Originality/valueThere are few studies that explore the conceptualizations of sustainability, what constitutes a “sustainable university” and what role universities should play in achieving sustainability held by major stakeholders, including faculty leaders. Higher education scholars share a reasonably common understanding of these concepts, but if universities are accountable for creating a sustainable future, all university stakeholders too must share a common understanding. This paper attempts to make a contribution to this significant gap in the literature.

Developing a Triage System to Determine Approaches to Sustaining Intangible Cultural Heritage

High-profile agencies such as UNESCO continue to underscore the urgent need to support the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage across the world, in all its forms: from languages to music, theatre to dance. That task is enormous, and within any specific region or nation, even within a community, decisions often need to be made about where to best direct the limited funding, time, and resources for sustainability efforts. Drawing on precedent from the environmental sciences, this paper suggests a 'triage system' to help set priorities for implementing sustainability initiatives. The tripartite model assesses (1) the nature and severity of the threat to the cultural expression in question, (2) its perceived value in the community, and (3) the solvability of the problem. The system holds potential to assist stakeholders - communities themselves, as well as bodies that allocate funding and resources for cultural maintenance and revitalisation - to determine priorities for support, in turn leading to better deployment of resources and optimal outcomes for effort.