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.