Understanding and Overcoming Roadblocks to Environmental Sustainability: Past Roads and Future Prospects

Bergquist, Ann-Kristin; Cole, Shawn; Ehrenfeld, John R.; King, Andrew A.; Schendler, Auden

doi:10.1017/s000768051900031x

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The literature on environmental stewardship suggests that a growing number of firms are voluntarily reducing negative environmental impact, improving efficiency, and focusing on pro-environmental value propositions. The result has been the creation and diffusion of new, more environmentally sustainable, business models across a range of industries (see Bergquist, Cole, Ehrenfeld, King, & Schendler, 2019; George, Merrill, & Schillebeeckx, 2021).…”

Section: Towards a Common Understanding Of Purposementioning

confidence: 99%

Purpose in the For-Profit Firm: A Review and Framework for Management Research

George

Haas

McGahan

et al. 2021

Journal of Management

108

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Purpose is a concept often used in managerial communities to signal and define a firm’s benevolent and pluralistic approach to its stakeholders beyond its focus on shareholders. While some evidence has linked purpose to positive organizational outcomes such as growth, employee satisfaction, innovation, and superior stock market performance, the definition and application of purpose in management research has been varied and frequently ambiguous. We review literature streams that invoke purpose in the for-profit firm and propose a unifying definition. Next, we develop a framework to study purpose that decouples its framing and formalization within firms from its realization, thus helping to avoid conflation of the presence of purpose with positive organizational outcomes. The framework also highlights internal and external drivers that shape the framing of purpose as well as the influence of the institutional context on its adoption and effectiveness. Finally, we provide a rich agenda for future research on purpose.

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Section: Towards a Common Understanding Of Purposementioning

confidence: 99%

Purpose in the For-Profit Firm: A Review and Framework for Management Research

George

Haas

McGahan

et al. 2021

Journal of Management

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The case study approach has been adopted as the study is exploratory involving “how” and “why” questions, which “lead to the use of case studies” (Yin, 1994, p. 6). Before doing so, however, it explores the origins of entrepreneurial thinking and how it has evolved, not least as “historical knowledge can be very useful in avoiding past mistakes or reinventing ideas that never really worked in the past” (Bergquist et al , 2019).…”

Section: Aim and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmonious entrepreneurship: evolution from wealth creation to sustainable development

Kirby

El‐Kaffass²,

Healey‐Benson

2022

JMH

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Purpose The purpose of this research is to examine the evolution of entrepreneurship, explain the reasons for why it is not contributing significantly to the global sustainability challenge and propose a new approach and business model to better enable it to do so. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a grounded theory–style approach based on case study production and analysis using secondary data and, where appropriate, personal observation. Findings The paper concludes that entrepreneurship has failed to address the sustainability challenge because of its emphasis on “making as much money as possible” and its failure to appreciate that the planet is a system. It concludes that for any solution to be successful it must be based on systems thinking and should integrate or harmonise the traditional, separately applied approaches to entrepreneurship in order to produce a business model with a Triple Bottom Line, whereby Profit, Planet and People are in Harmony. Research limitations/implications While the proposed model is based on a real-life case, it needs to be tested in different politico-economic contexts and industry sectors. It has the potential, though, to impact very considerably the traditional thinking on entrepreneurship and its application. Practical implications The proposed new approach will have significant implications for entrepreneurship education and training, including the adoption of a stakeholder rather than shareholder approach to management. Social implications Sustainability is arguably the most urgent and critical problem facing contemporary society. The proposed model provides a potential solution to that problem, particularly at the local community level. Originality/value The research proposes a new approach to entrepreneurship that breaks with the Friedman (1970) mantra that the purpose of business is to “make as much money as possible”.

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“…Various natural scientists proposed that the planet has entered a novel environmental phase, the supposed Anthropocene, as an effect of accrued human economic activity (Bergquist, 2019). The preceding phase, the Holocene, began 10,000 to 12,000 years ago when the climate became warmer and much more stable.…”

Section: The Challenge Regarding Business and Sustainabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Performance of the Textiles and Apparel Sector and the Challenge of Environmental Sustainability in Ghana: A Qualitative Study

Zanu

2023

JEP

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Purpose: The study assessed empirically how production and consumer behaviour can instigate the reduction of carbon footprint in the textiles and apparel industry to promote sustainable development. Methodology: The study was predominantly qualitative with a sample size of 15 textiles and apparel manufacturers managers/owners were selected purposively from three regions of Ghana. Findings: The results suggest that respondents hardly employ any strategy to facilitate environmental sustainability. Even though they are aware of the concept of carbon footprint, they lack the basic techniques to assess their environmental performance in terms of sustainability. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study can significantly contribute to policy and practice in Ghana and elsewhere by shaping regulatory frameworks, encouraging sustainable business practices, enhancing education and training, guiding EIAs, and fostering consumer awareness.

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Understanding and Overcoming Roadblocks to Environmental Sustainability: Past Roads and Future Prospects

Cited by 7 publications

References 51 publications

Purpose in the For-Profit Firm: A Review and Framework for Management Research

Purpose in the For-Profit Firm: A Review and Framework for Management Research

Harmonious entrepreneurship: evolution from wealth creation to sustainable development

The Performance of the Textiles and Apparel Sector and the Challenge of Environmental Sustainability in Ghana: A Qualitative Study

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