Sustainability at the firm-level: review and case driven exploration
- The challenge to integrate, measure, and report sustainability at the firm level has been frequently discussed in theory and practice. However, there is still a limitation on narrowing the sustainability concept at the firm level and addressing the challenges in a holistic approach encompassing the economic, social, and environment triple bottom lines and firm strategic management. This study explores firm-level sustainability through a systematic literature review followed by a case study exploration. Based on the review findings, key measuring dimensions were identified to frame sustainability at the firm level. The dimensions were further explored, taking a country case of large-scale industrial firm zones in Ethiopia. Critical economic, social, environmental sustainability and strategic management concerns are systematically identified and discussed. Finally, a conceptual sustainability assessment framework was proposed to support firm-level sustainability measuring and reporting, which could be considered a steppingstone for theThe challenge to integrate, measure, and report sustainability at the firm level has been frequently discussed in theory and practice. However, there is still a limitation on narrowing the sustainability concept at the firm level and addressing the challenges in a holistic approach encompassing the economic, social, and environment triple bottom lines and firm strategic management. This study explores firm-level sustainability through a systematic literature review followed by a case study exploration. Based on the review findings, key measuring dimensions were identified to frame sustainability at the firm level. The dimensions were further explored, taking a country case of large-scale industrial firm zones in Ethiopia. Critical economic, social, environmental sustainability and strategic management concerns are systematically identified and discussed. Finally, a conceptual sustainability assessment framework was proposed to support firm-level sustainability measuring and reporting, which could be considered a steppingstone for the sustainable development of Ethiopia's industrial park.…


| Author: | Fitsum Getachew Bayu, Eshetie Berhan, Frank EbingerORCiD |
|---|---|
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1504/ijssoc.2022.124860 |
| ISSN: | 1756-2538 |
| Parent Title (English): | International Journal of Sustainable Society |
| Publisher: | Inderscience Publishers |
| Document Type: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Reviewed: | Begutachtet/Reviewed |
| Release Date: | 2024/06/17 |
| Tag: | economic sustainability, social sustainability, environmental sustainability, strategic management, Ethiopian industrial park firms |
| Volume: | 14 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| First Page: | 104 |
| Last Page: | 134 |
| institutes: | Fakultät Betriebswirtschaft |
| Research Themes: | Soziale & ökonomische Transformation |
