Sustainability information sources: employee knowledge, perceptions, and learning

Abstract

Purpose -The information sources employees in one Fortune 100 organization draw on to learn about sustainability are identified. The linkages between knowledge about sustainability, perceptions of the organization's involvement in sustainability initiatives, and interest in learning more about sustainability are investigated. Design/methodology/approach -Employees (n ¼ 1,952) completed an online survey investigating what they knew and thought about sustainability, and the sources of their information. The information sources investigated included external association sources, media sources, supply-chain sources, interpersonal sources, and intraorganizational sources. Findings -Important external information sources include professional/industry associations, faith-based institutions, and supply-chain partners. Important internal sources include supervisors, company meetings, and the company sustainability report. Those who think sustainability is important to their organization's long-term success were interested in learning more about sustainability. Awareness of the organization's sustainability initiatives is related to the belief sustainability is important to the organization's success.Research limitations/implications -Limitations include a cross-sectional study, single-item measures, and nominal data. Practical implications -Companies launching sustainability initiatives need to understand and manage the information sources their employees utilize. Originality/value -This is a large empirical study that focusses on information sources and employee perceptions involving sustainability.

Sustainable supply chain management in developing countries: An analysis of the literature

“…Industrial associations have been linked to the expansion of innovation activities and are identified as an important external source of information on sustainability to buyers and suppliers in specific industries (Craig and Allen, 2013). More research is required to understand what roles industrial associations can play in the adoption of SSCM, oscillating from putting pressure on members to developing practices to provide information or consultancy services during implementation.…”

The impact of curriculum-based learning on environmental literacy and energy consumption with implications for policy

“…Resources and teacher training on environmental education is generally inadequate, and a concentrated effort to educate students about quantifiable energy usage and efficiency is rare (Karliner, 2005;Owens, 2005;Schelly et al, 2012). In addition, numerous studies have found that adult knowledge and awareness about energy are relatively low (e.g., Craig and Allen, 2013;Langevin et al, 2013).…”

Transformational Organizational Change, Reinforcing Structures, and Formal Communication

“…Others gathered resources from national and state environmental groups and from competitors. In one Fortune 100 organization, Craig and Allen (2013) asked those employees who rated themselves as more knowledgeable about sustainability and who perceived their company to be more involved in sustainability initiatives where they became aware of information about sustainability. Professional/industry associations, faith-based institutions, and customers were three important information sources.…”

“…3, I discussed formal communication channels and settings including CEO speeches, annual meetings, sustainability reports and websites, signage within buildings, and checklists associated with certification. Authors (e.g., Bortree 2011; Craig and Allen 2013;Linnenluecke et al 2009;Maharaj and Herremans 2008) have identified a wide range of channels used to communicate with internal and external stakeholders about sustainability. Practitioners charged with communicating about sustainability should find information about planning internal communication (Whitworth 2011), integrating employee communication media (Crescenzo 2011), and internal branding (Grady 2011) useful. I asked Brian Sheehan, former Sustainability Manager at Sam's Club, to describe the channels he routinely used to communicate with employees.…”