The impact of organizational maturity on sustainable management capabilities
PDF

Keywords

sustainable management
sustainable development
SGD
ESG
organisation’s maturity

How to Cite

Bernacka, J., Ponnuswamy, I., & Gołembski, M. . (2025). The impact of organizational maturity on sustainable management capabilities. Economics and Environment, 94(3), 1011. https://doi.org/10.34659/eis.2025.94.3.1011

Abstract

Purpose: This case study aims to determine if mature organisations are more capable of sustainable management. Specifically, it seeks to establish whether mature organisations manage their sustainable development more effectively due to the resources available to them. Methodology/approach: This qualitative study involved 16 individuals, in-depth, semi-structured interviews, purposefully sampled, with most interviewees being auditors or practitioners involved in sustainable management or inspection. Findings: Mature organisations are better prepared for sustainable management due to available resources, experienced employees, and superior management practices. Research limitations/implications: Although the collected data indicates that mature organisations have more resources to manage their sustainable development and growth, the authors recommend continuing with quantitative research to identify the different challenges in implementing sustainable goals based on an organisation's maturity level. Practical implications: This article provides insights from experienced respondents on how to approach the challenges in implementing sustainable goals. Social implications: The study aims to determine whether employees in mature organisations have a higher awareness of the social implications of their organisation's sustainable management. Originality/value: This study contributes to existing research by providing a unique perspective on the capability of organisational maturity in sustainable management and emphasises the distinction between SDG and ESG, which are often used interchangeably by business practitioners.

PDF

References

Ayati, S. M., Shekarian, E., Majava, J., & Wæhrens, B. V. (2022). Toward a circular supply chain: Understanding barriers from the perspective of recovery approaches. Journal of Cleaner Production, 359, 131775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131775

Bergmann, J. R. (2010). Ethnomethodological Conversation Analysis. In U. Flick (Ed.), The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Data Analysis (pp. 61–78). London: SAGE Publications. https://www.ufs.ac.za/docs/librariesprovider68/resources/methodology/uwe_flick_%28ed-%29-_the_sage_handbook_of_qualitative%28z-lib-org%29-%281%29.pdf

Bimpizas-Pinis, M., Calzolari, T., & Genovese, A. (2022). Exploring the transition towards circular supply chains through the arcs of integration. International Journal of Production Economics, 250, 108666. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925527322002481?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-9&rr=8cddf684fd834516

Brenman, M. (2012). Diversity Metrics, Measurement and Evaluation. Workforce Diversity Network. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/c492eb85-9529-4eb9-bbe4-4154277bb917/downloads/Diversity%20Metrics%2C%20Measurement%2C%20and%20Evaluation.pdf?ver=1626707176143

Bureau Veritas. (2024, December 28). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureau_Veritas/

Castro, A., & Gradillas, M. (2022). Insights Into Successful Esg Implementation In Organisations. Journal of Financial Transformation, 56, 168-176. https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10160598/

Castro, D. (2024). Sustainable practices: ESG and green innovation effect on CVC’s firm value. Environmental Management, 300, 113695.

Clément, A., Robinot, É., & Trespeuch, L. (2022). Improving ESG scores with sustainability concepts. Sustainability, 14(20), 13164. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013154

Cooperrider, D., & Godwin, L. (2022). ONE GIANT LEAP How OD Can Help Lead the Net-Positive Earthshot. Organisational Dynamics Review, 54(1). https://case.edu/weatherhead/sites/default/files/2023-06/cooperrider-godwin%20OD%20Review_vol54_no1%20copy%202%20-%20David%20Cooperrider.pdf

Egorov, A. (2023). ESG as an innovative tool to improve the efficiency and financial stability of financial organisations. Procedia Computer Science, 221, 705-709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2023.08.041

Friede, G., Bush, T., & Bassen, A. (2016). ESG and financial performance: aggregated evidence from more than 2000 empirical studies. Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 5(4), 210-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2015.1118917

Goldberg, M. (2023). "Sustainable" Certifications are Siphoning Billions from Organic. https://organicinsider.com/newsletter/sustainable-certifications-leading-harvest-eco-score-your-weekly-organic-insider/

Gwet, K. L. (2014). Handbook of inter-rater reliability: The definitive guide to measuring the extent of agreement among raters. Advanced Analytics, LLC.

Hivelife. (2022). 7 Globally Recognized ESG Certifications to Build a Socially Responsible Business. https://hivelife.com/esg-certifications/

IFS. (2023). Sustainability Report 2023 and ESG Fact Sheet. https://www.ifs.com/pl/assets/all-products/ifs-sustainability-report-2023/

IFS. (2024, December 28). International Featured Standard. https://www.ifs-certification.com/en/

IFS. (n.d.). Sustainability / ESG. https://www.ifs-certification.com/index.php/en/?view=article&id=62

Kosieradzka, A., & Smagowicz, J. (2018). Model dojrzałości organizacji w obszarze publicznego zarządzania kryzysowego. Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Śląskiej. Seria: Organizacja i Zarządzanie, 128, 217-230. https://yadda.icm.edu.pl/baztech/element/bwmeta1.element.baztech-1126d4bf-4504-4e4a-b072-860fdd5960e5 (in Polish).

Kruse, K. (2014). Employee Engagement 2.0: How to Motivate Your Team for High Performance. Richboro: The Kruse Group.

Kuhn, T. S. (1970). The structure of scientific revolutions (2nd ed., enlarged). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. https://www.lri.fr/~mbl/Stanford/CS477/papers/Kuhn-SSR-2ndEd.pdf

Lange, E. D., Busch, T., & Ceballos, J. D. (2012). Sustaining Sustainability in Organisations. Journal of Business Ethics, 110, 151-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1425-0

Li, T., Wang, K., Sueyoshi, T., & Wang, D. D. (2021). ESG: Research Progress and Future Prospects. Sustainability, 13(21), 11663. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111663

Matos, P. (2020). ESG and Responsible Institutional Investing Around The World: Insights from the Literature. CFA Institute Research Foundation.

Ferreira, M. A., & Matos, P. (2008). The colors of investors’ money: The role of institutional investors around the world. Journal of financial economics, 88(3), 499-533.

McKinsey & Company. (2021). Five Ways that ESG Creates Value. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Business%20Functions/Strategy%20and%20Corporate%20Finance/Our%20Insights/Five%20ways%20that%20ESG%20creates%20value/Five-ways-that-ESG-creates-value.ashx

PIMCO. (2023). Key Takeaways From PIMCO’s Sustainable Investing Report 2023. https://www.pimco.com/gb/en/insights/key-takeaways-from-pimcos-sustainable-investing-report-2023/

Report Linker. (2024). ReGlobal Green Building Market Overview 2024-2028. https://www.reportlinker.com/market-report/Construction/513230/Green-Building/

Sedex. (2024, December 28). Empowering Sustainable Supply Chain. https://www.sedex.com/

Sierdovski, M., Pilatti, A. L., & Rubbo, P. (2022). Organisational Competencies in the Development of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Criteria in the Industrial Sector. Sustainability, 14(20), 13463. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013463

Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory (2nd ed.). London: Sage Publications.

TSEC. (2024). TESCO Supplier Ethical Change-Maker Program. https://www.tescoplc.com/media/1245/our_ethical_trading_approach.pdf

United Nations. (2024). Sustainable Development. The 17 goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Veenstra, E. M., & Ellemers, N. (2020). ESG Indicators as Organisational Performance Goals: Do Rating Agencies Encourage a Holistic Approach? Sustainability, 12(24), 10228. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410228

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2025 Economics and Environment

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.