Sixteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

In this theoretical study, I consider the question: Why do some organizations exhibit more outwardly oriented, i.e. beyond self-serving, sustainability behaviors than others? I argue that organisation culture, comprising shared axioms, values, beliefs, and practices, is a key differentiator. I build a theoretical model, firstly by explaining how organisation culture evolve from the point of view of Cultural Immersion Theory, the Attraction-Selection-Attrition (ASA) model, Normative Isomorphism and Social Network Theory. I then draw from the sustainability literature to define and discuss sustainable axioms, values, and actions. Next, I link organisation culture to sustainability by exploring how therefore the sustainable axioms, values, and actions may be generated by organisation culture. Ultimately, I put forward several propositions regarding how certain cultural values delineated by GLOBE project framework are likely to support certain, outwardly oriented, sustainability behaviors, including those pertinent to the environment, society, and economy. I also offer propositions on interactions among organisation culture dimensions that may enhance or inhibit sustainable behaviors. My research may uncover ways organizations can embed deep-rooted sustainability ethos beyond the superficial initiatives motivated by self-serving, business concerns.