embedding sustainability in organizational culture - Network for ...

Chapter 1: Introduction
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dear reader,
One question I hear often is: how do we ensure that sustainability remains engrained in the organization after the CeO or
sustainability officer leaves? I am delighted to share with you this report, which addresses this critical question. It is the
culmination of a full year’s effort to compile and synthesize the best academic research in the area. as both an academic
researcher and executive director of the NBS, I know this report fills an important gap in our knowledge.
at the Network for Business Sustainability, we believe that the innovative, frame-breaking solutions required for sustainability
will come only through cross-sectoral collaboration. the development of this report embodies this philosophy. a group
of managers representing a range of private and public sector organizations told us they wanted this issue researched. a
committee comprised of five managers and one researcher helped guide the research team. the result is a report that we hope
has broad appeal—to both the communities of research and practice.
Stephanie Bertels and her research team must be commended for their ability to navigate this process. they skilfully scoped
an unmanageably broad topic to be relevant to managers and to identify key gaps for future research. dr. Bertels and her team
embody the notion of ‘engaged scholarship.’
this report is just one of several produced by the Network for Business Sustainability that aim to assemble the best research
evidence for practical problems. each report forms a piece of the puzzle that will help move business forward on the path
toward sustainability. By working together we will build resilient organizations and ensure a healthy, happy and prosperous
future.
Sincerely,
dr. tima Bansal
executive director, Network for Business Sustainability
professor, richard Ivey School of Business, the University of Western Ontario, Canada