The Challenges of Banco Crédito Agrícola in Portugal to the European Commission's Sustainable Finance Action Plan

Abstract

This article relates to the necessary changes that Banco Crédito Agrícola in Portugal must consider; at the level of strategy, processes and organizational culture, to meet the European Commission Action Plan for sustainable finance, published in 2018 (European Commission,  2018). The Action Plan obliges financial institutions to redirect capital flows towards more sustainable investments to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth, manage financial risks arising from climate change, resource depletion, environmental degradation, and social issues, as well as promote transparency and long-term vision in economic and financial activities (European Commission, 2018). The study seeks to give greater relevance to the approach on Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities supported by knowledge management as the main sustainable competitive advantage for Banking in Portugal to meet the Action Plan requirements described above. Firstly, qualitative, and secondly quantitative methodologies were used. The qualitative part was made by analyzing the sustainability reports of the 2013-2020 period of Banco Crédito Agrícola and by interviewing key employee stakeholders of the institution.  The quantitative part was made by applying questionnaires to two different samples; one representing the Portuguese population and the other, consisted of employees of Banco Crédito Agrícola based in Portugal.   We conclude that there is a relationship between sustainable finance and knowledge management in the banking sector. This relationship implies a need for strategic, cultural, and process changes in Banco Crédito Agrícola, in the context of its organizational development.