A Project-based Study on the Organizational Processes of Businesses Working With Biodiversity

Abstract

Research tells us that there is a biodiversity crisis, which the greater scientific community agrees with. More mainstream businesses are beginning to acknowledge their effects companies are slowly beginning to engage with the crisis, and there lacks a comprehensive research field that looks at how businesses are engaging with the biodiversity crisis today. The aim of this research is to gain more applicable knowledge of the practices businesses utilize when engaging in biodiversity projects.

To conduct this research, we employed an abductive approach using the view from pragmatism. We combine qualitative and quantitative research methods. The primary data collection involves conducting interviews with relevant stakeholders, while secondary data is sourced from biodiversity reports, sustainability reports, research articles, and websites.

Companies are beginning to interact with the idea of biodiversity-led projects; however, we observe a relatively new trend among businesses engaging in biodiversity initiatives. While some organizations are actively collaborating in these efforts, we find a lack of widespread utilization of frameworks to guide their actions. Additionally, there is a notable absence of specific target setting in their biodiversity projects. However, we do note a slight inclination among certain studied businesses to measure the outcomes of their initiatives.

We find the importance of businesses collaboration with relevant stakeholders essential for engaging in biodiversity projects. This further ensures knowledge is shared and thus helps bring awareness. We conclude that project-based agency is a foundation for biodiversity to move from the niche level into the regime level and thus become mainstream.