Expanding the Horizon: Interdependencies in Managing Sustainability

Abstract

This research explores sustainability in a business context, a theme that has evolved from a peripheral concern to a central strategic priority. The study implies that sustainability consists of mutually dependent dynamics that influence international organizations and the evolvement of sustainability. Findings thus answer the research question: How do international organizations and their practitioners engage with sustainability? A multiple case study offers a methodological approach to observe varying and coexisting organizational approaches to the sustainability phenomenon. Interviews with eight practitioners of international organizations, from distinct industries, provided an empirical frame for exploring sustainability in a business context. As a prerequisite to the case study, a survey with responses from more than 100 practitioners provided initial insight on contemporary perceptions of sustainability. Survey results inspired propositions that guided the research through three analytical topics that had emerged as essential to practitioners’ engagement with sustainability. While the three topics, perceptions of sustainability, managerial complexity, and competitive strategy intertwine across themes, they are isolated in the analysis to ensure in-depth exploration within each analytical arena. Findings reveal that managerial disciplines and business sustainability exist in an interdependent network that shape how international organizations, and their practitioners, engage with sustainability. To reflect findings, we contribute with a conceptual framework presenting the Interdependencies in Managing Sustainability, thus demonstrating the coherence and dynamics of key topics in practitioners’ engagement with, and management of, sustainability. We hope that our research can inspire future studies on business engagement with the sustainability concept. We believe future research can benefit from studying causalities in business sustainability, while exploration in fixed environments may yield more pragmatic findings. With our conceptual framework, we are confident that the horizon of understanding is extended and offers a new point of departure for future work on sustainability in international organizations.