Identifying different sustainable practices to help companies to contribute to the sustainable development: Holistic sustainability, sustainable business and operations models

Abstract

Companies are facing pressure in order to reduce their environmental impact.However, the managerial tools and frameworks to bring sustainability into practice are in their infancy. This paper is encompassed on the development of the Theory of Corporate Sustainability, and this work offers the practical implication of the theory to provide researchers and managers with a tool to analyse how companies integrate sustainability among their strategies and operations. The methodology has been based on the use of the case-study protocol. Four interviews have been carried out and data obtained has been analysed using content analysis methodology. Resultsshow that companies that have a formal structure to deal with sustainability are able to integrate sustainable practices in a higher degree than companies that adopt sustainability in a siloed way. Moreover, this paper shows how the process of sustainability integration differs between existing companies and new companies.

Are institutional investors “in love” with the sustainable development goals? Understanding the idyll in the case of governments and pension funds

“…However, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comes with significant challenges (Grover et al, 2018). The studies carried out show that progress is being made towards achieving the SDGs (Chindasombatcharoen et al, 2021; Haughton & Keane, 2021; Lyytimäki et al, 2020; Sanchez‐Planelles et al, 2022), but neither the speed nor the scale are adequate to improve the current levels of poverty, hunger, education, and health that characterize certain territories as well as to reduce climate emergency or discrimination (United Nations, 2019, 2020).…”

Motivations and drivers for adopting sustainability and circular business strategies in businesses in Victoria

“…The majority of literature tend to use case studies of firms that have incorporated CE practices either as a transition or by focusing on start‐ups that have been set up based on CBM fundamentals (Bocken et al, 2016; Daddi et al, 2019; Khan et al, 2020; Ranta et al, 2018; Rovanto & Finne, 2023; Sanchez‐Planelles et al, 2022; Sharma et al, 2021; Sohal et al, 2022). The use of case studies tends to show a positive view on CE transition as most cases studied are typically firms that have taken the initial steps for a transition.…”

Business strategy, sustainability, and firm value: A test of financial slack and agency theories

“…Considering the outcome of sustainability practices, organizations all over the world are trying to involve different forms of sustainability activities in their operations (Bai, 2022; Danso et al, 2019; Marin et al, 2017; Panwar et al, 2016). Earlier research revealed the influence of different factors such as the nature of businesses, operations, products, services, and customers' engagement on organizational sustainability practices that varies within and across businesses, sectors, countries, and contexts (Duanmu et al, 2018; Sanchez‐Planelles et al, 2022; Upadhaya et al, 2018). In addition to those contingency factors, organizational strategies, more specifically business strategies, are also found to have significant influences on organizations' engagement in sustainable practices (Chen et al, 2018; Kong et al, 2020; Lin et al, 2021; Romme et al, 1990).…”

“…Considering the lack of knowledge in those areas, this study investigates the relationship between organizational slack resources and variations in business strategies and their subsequent influence on different aspects of sustainability practices. Empirical evidence of the influence and impact of slack resources on business strategies as well as on sustainability practices could help managers to identify appropriate matching sustainability practices to improve financial performance and gain long‐term competitive advantages (Chen et al, 2018; Kong et al, 2020; Lin et al, 2021; Sanchez‐Planelles et al, 2022; Upadhaya et al, 2018).…”

“…While earlier research focused on the availability of slack resources and their use for corporate social responsibility (CSR) or performance activities, this study investigates the use of slack resources with matching business strategies as well as involvement in three main, that is, governance, social, and environmental aspects of sustainable practices to increase the financial performance of organizations. Identifying variations in sustainable practices and their relationship with slack resources and matching business strategies could provide useful guidelines for better use of slack resources to improve financial performance and meet stakeholders' expectations (Boso et al, 2017; Sanchez‐Planelles et al, 2022; Seifert et al, 2004).…”