Ecological responsiveness and business performance: Four scenarios of compatibility and a multi‐faceted strategies framework

Martinez, Fabien

doi:10.1002/bse.2822

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 80 publications

(108 reference statements)

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“…In this paper, the core components of a framework that clarifies fundamental aspects of the dynamics involved in dyadic business–NGO partnerships are articulated. The propositions are drawn from an analysis of the literature on religious and cultural syncretism—building therefore upon the work of Martinez (2013) and Martinez et al (2019, 2021)—and the identification of key elements that can be extended to enrich our theoretical understanding of the capacity of businesses and NGOs to collaborate and manage the complex dynamics that the collision of their prevailing idea systems generates. The paper outlines a research agenda, including a set of research directions and theoretical ramifications about the factors that motivate businesses and NGOs to engage in, and sustain, partnerships that meet the normative expectations placed on them.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the domains of culture and religion, the tendency has been to forge a dual conception of syncretism as both a pejorative and a nonpejorative idea (Martinez, 2013). The pejorative conception of syncretism is often described to mean the ‘inauthentic’ or the ‘contamination’ of a presumably ‘pure’ tradition by features (e.g., values, beliefs, symbols and meanings) seen as belonging to foreign, conflicting traditions (Shaw & Stewart, 1994, p. 1).…”

Section: Syncretizing Idea Systems: Pejorative and Nonpejorative Assu...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the syncretic dynamics involved in dyadic business–NGO partnerships

Martinez

2023

Bus Strat Env

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This paper articulates a framework that clarifies (hitherto unexplored) aspects of the dynamics involved in dyadic partnerships between businesses and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). At its core lies the proposition that businesses and NGOs operate with heterogeneous idea systems that are institutionalized in the definition of their organizational identities, missions and values statements and theoretically conceived of as institutional logics, worldviews, paradigms and cultures. The meeting of these idea systems is subject to processes of ‘syncretism’ that critically influence the potential of business–NGO partnerships to meet the normative expectations placed on them. The ‘business in society’ literature has however remained relatively inexplicit in terms of explaining what these processes might be. Drawing therefore on the literature on syncretism and the precepts of analogical reasoning, this study derives four main syncretic processes that determine the valence of business–NGO partnerships towards either congruity or dissent: borrowing, blending, bridging and breaking. While there is a potential for negative outcomes stemming from the first two processes, and in the fourth, bridging is highlighted as a promising, yet demanding, syncretic way for eliminating fundamental tensions between disparate idea systems. The article concludes with a research agenda, together with an outline of theoretical implications.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Syncretizing Idea Systems: Pejorative and Nonpejorative Assu...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the syncretic dynamics involved in dyadic business–NGO partnerships

Martinez

2023

Bus Strat Env

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“…Evidence suggests that commitment to sustainability varies among organisations that approach sustainability in several ways, from marketing and communication perspectives to financing and spending decisions. The literature describes this perspective as a continuum from peripheral embeddedness of sustainability to substantive embeddedness (Hyatt and Berente, 2017;Ivory and MacKay, 2020;Martinez, 2021). From a peripheral frame of reference, the organisation's actions will adopt "less bad" strategies such as reducing emissions and resources and saving costs.…”

Section: The Concept Of Sustainabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The implementation of sustainability practices in Arab higher education institutions

Mahameed¹,

Riaz²,

Aldoob

et al. 2023

JFRA

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Purpose This paper aims to explore how sustainability practices were implemented in a higher education institution within a local setting in the Gulf and Arab Emirates Region. This study examined the impact of social and cultural requirements on the development of the master plan for the New Kuwait University campus with regards to sustainability to illustrate how current social and cultural requirements impact the design of a future learning environment whilst highlighting the essential role of organisational actors in this implementation process. Design/methodology/approach Using an in-depth case study approach, the authors conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with educators and administrative staff who had been involved in the sustainability implementation process at Kuwait University. These participants were involved at different stages in the implementation of a major sustainability project at Kuwait University. The interviews were further supplemented by analysing supporting documents and communications. Findings The analysis reveals that sustainability was embedded in a narrative that was repeated at the practice level; this directed the setting of objectives for the project and its various sub-tasks. It also helped actors to develop their understandings of practice and the importance of social emotions, self-intentions and patterns of culture in the process. This study further reveals that participants mainly focused on environmental issues regarding saving paper/electricity and overlooked aspects of a wider concepts and core values of sustainability, and there is a significant amount of lack of knowledge and awareness on matters about sustainability, especially with the understanding of its definition. Originality/value This study draws on practice-organisation framework used by Schatzki (2002, 2010), suggesting that sustainability implementation is a process led by rules, practical understanding, general understanding and teleoaffective structures, to highlight the role of agency and change among various actors in implementing sustainability. A practice-theory framing is used to signpost the roles played by various actors in establishing goals and tasks for the project while taking account of local understanding and independence in the implementation of sustainability practices. Engaging with practice theory framework offers us theoretical basis that is fundamentally different from the theories of interaction-oriented approaches in sustainable design.

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“…This process would be associated with the complexity and inconsistency of the indicators used (Spaiser et al, 2017;Swain, 2018;Ala-Uddin, 2019;Del Río et al, 2021), which are shaped by the regulations, culture and individual values of the organisational context (Ferrer et al, 2020;L opez-Arceiz et al, 2020aL opez-Arceiz et al, , 2020b. According to Berrone et al (2017), Yang et al (2020), Diaz-Sarachaga (2021), García-Meca and Martínez-Ferrero (2021), Zych (2021) and Calabrese et al (2021), these limitations can lead to greenwashing processes, as companies may be tempted to adopt some sustainability management tools that would allow them to display an inaccurate level of corporate sustainability development (Martinez, 2021;Seele and Schultz, 2022). There are various drivers that can explain the emergence of greenwashing: external, organisational and internal (Delmas and Cuerel, 2011;Wu et al, 2017).…”

Section: Sustainable Management Tools: Measuring Sustainabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining greenwashing and SDG-washing: an analysis of corporate engagement with the SDGs

del Río,

González-Álvarez,

López-Arceiz

2023

SAMPJ

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the existence of greenwashing and sustainable development goal (SDG)-washing processes by comparing ex ante (SDG Compass) and ex post (SDG Compliance) indicators and investigating whether the limitations associated with these indicators encourage companies to engage in washing processes. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a sample of 1,154 companies included in the S&P Sustainability Yearbook (formerly the RobecoSAM Yearbook). The authors test for the presence of greenwashing by comparing ex ante and ex post indicators for each SDG, whereas to test for SDG-washing, the authors compare the two ex ante and ex post approaches considering the full set of SDGs. Findings The results show that there is no consistency between the two types of indicators to measure the level of SDG implementation in organisations. This lack of consistency may facilitate both greenwashing and SDG-washing processes, which is due to the design and limitations of these measurement tools. Practical implications Companies may choose those indicators that paint their commitment to the SDGs in the best light, but they may also select indicators based on the SDGs they want to report on. These two options would combine greenwashing and SDG-washing. Social implications The shift towards improved standards and regulations for measuring SDG achievement is the result of several social factors such as investor scrutiny, regulatory reform, consumer awareness and increased corporate accountability. Originality/value Few previous studies have analysed in detail the interaction between greenwashing and SDG-washing. They focus on the use of ex ante or ex post indicators separately, with samples composed of local companies, and without considering the whole set of SDGs.

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Ecological responsiveness and business performance: Four scenarios of compatibility and a multi‐faceted strategies framework

Cited by 4 publications

References 80 publications

Exploring the syncretic dynamics involved in dyadic business–NGO partnerships

Exploring the syncretic dynamics involved in dyadic business–NGO partnerships

The implementation of sustainability practices in Arab higher education institutions

Examining greenwashing and SDG-washing: an analysis of corporate engagement with the SDGs

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