Knowledge Agora



Scientific Article details

Title It's Just Not Sexy: How Managerial Assumptions Adversely Affect Corporate Sustainability Engagement and Sustainable Technology Adoption
ID_Doc 33039
Authors Alsdorf, H
Title It's Just Not Sexy: How Managerial Assumptions Adversely Affect Corporate Sustainability Engagement and Sustainable Technology Adoption
Year 2022
Published Sustainability, 14.0, 22
DOI 10.3390/su142215222
Abstract The negative effects of the global climate disruption are becoming increasingly severe, and they are putting pressure on companies to behave in a more environmentally friendly manner. Although some have started to (ecologically) innovate and acquire sustainable resources and capabilities, some seem to be only reluctantly adopting sustainability. In this paper, we report on two consecutive qualitative studies in which we investigated this divergence. In the first-which involved 25 interviewed sustainability managers from a diverse set of German companies-we found that: (i) sustainability was perceived as unattractive and not innovative; (ii) the benefits of sustainable technologies only seemed to be beneficial in the long term, and in non-traditional dimensions; (iii) Green IT/IS usage often only focuses on end-of-the-pipe measures. In the second study, we discussed these findings with four representatives from two very large German companies, and we concluded that-to become sustainable and make meaningful use of sustainable (IT/IS) technologies-they require external incentives from core interest groups, such as legislators and investors. This study contributes to the current body of knowledge regarding corporate environmental responsibility, and it may be of assistance to practitioners, as it highlights the drivers and potential hindrances of sustainable innovation adoption.
Author Keywords sustainability engagement; sustainability technology; innovation adoption; Green IT; Green IS; corporate environmental responsibility; managerial assumptions
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000887597900001
WoS Category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Environmental Sciences; Environmental Studies
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF
Similar atricles
Scroll