How to design an organization to enable the implementation of the company’s sustainability agenda

Abstract

Purpose

The nitty-gritty of organizing for sustainability requires carefully defining and assigning the roles and responsibilities for carrying out the activities required to implement the company’s sustainability strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors offer a framework to help managers make design choices for their company’s Sustainability organization.

Findings

The “sustainability focus” and “organizational philosophy” dimensions can be combined into a grid onto which a company?s position can be mapped.

Practical/implications

Should Sustainability be a distinct and integrated function, or combined with another function, or split into subfunctions, or absorbed into the general management of the businesses?

Originality/value

Sustainability is a hot topic at the CEO level nowadays and the authors have worked out a practical guide for customizing a company’s implementation agenda and its organizational structure so its program will be effective.

Citation

Vantrappen, H. and Wagemans, M. (2022), "How to design an organization to enable the implementation of the company’s sustainability agenda", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 50 No. 5, pp. 15-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/SL-06-2022-0055