Emotionally Sustainable Business and Communities of Commitment

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review some trends in global corporate citizenship branding stories and consumer values. The focus is on the triple bottom line and teamwork in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

Some implications for the individual employee's occupational citizenship and the development of emotional regimes in teams are considered. A suggested alternative triple bottom line is proposed. The other elements of the “triple bottom line” are not neglected but nested within the typical interpretation of three Ps as an emergent alternative triple bottom line.

Findings

This alternative triple bottom line involves a set of emotional and identity issues spiralling around the nature of the emotional relationship that various stakeholders have with any particular organisation's brand story. It is suggested that there is a convergence of values around key issues of consumer ethics, corporate citizenship and sustainability relating to personal as well as product image.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that in the twenty‐first century sustainability will be better secured when organizations begin to seriously address their own emotional ecologies. A set of ten practical steps that could be taken are briefly outlined.

Originality/value

This paper considers the relatively under‐researched topic of emotional aspects of sustainability and specifically applies this to work carried out on MBA teams.

Citation

Cockburn, T. (2007), "Emotionally Sustainable Business and Communities of Commitment", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 3 No. 4, pp. 61-73. https://doi.org/10.1108/17471110710840242