SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT OF EUROPEAN PRODUCING CAR MANUFACTURERS - AN ANALYSIS FROM THE EXTERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Sabrina Engert
University of Graz
Sabrina Engert is a research assistant in sustainability management at the Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research at the University of Graz, Austria. She conducts research on sustainability and strategic management within the automotive industry and is a lecturer in eco-controlling. Previously, she has gathered research experience in the research field of sustainability at the Stellenbosch University, South Africa and the Joanneum Research Association, Austria. Practical experience has been collected at the REWE International AG, Austria and the BMW Group, Germany.
Abstract
Theme This paper focuses on the external perspective and investigates the sustainability reports referring to the implementation of sustainability based on a content analysis. Track 5a. Corporate Sustainability Strategies ... [ view full abstract ]
Theme
This paper focuses on the external perspective and investigates the sustainability reports referring to the implementation of sustainability based on a content analysis.
Track
5a. Corporate Sustainability Strategies
Justification of the paper
Companies are faced with increasing regulations, demands of their stakeholders and a highly dynamic market. One industry which is strongly faced with these challenges regarding sustainability is the automotive industry.
Purpose
The purpose of this article is two-fold: First, to give an overview about sustainability reporting in the European automotive industry. Second, what is communicated in sustainability reports of the European car manufacturers regarding their sustainability implementation. Thus the paper concentrates on car manufacturers which are producing in Europe. The investigation therefore focuses on the external perspective and analyses their sustainability reports referring to the implementation of sustainability.
Theoretical framework
A comprehensive content analysis of sustainability reports (n=26) from 15 companies in the European automotive industry is conducted. The foundation of the study has been the ‘structuring’ qualitative content analysis according to Mayring (2003, 2014) by using the tool MAXQDA to clearly and logically handle the extensive data set.
Results and conclusions
Results confirm the importance of instruments - such as management systems like EMAS and ISO 14001 - but also of changes in organizational structures. This includes the adaption of strategy, goals and philosophy, appropriate measures as well as the consideration of the controlling, the internal and external communication and the integration of stakeholders. As a result most of the analyzed companies have already made structural change and have formulated strategies but we know very little about the implementation.
Implications for Tipping Points
The notion of ‘tipping point’ as a ‘point of transformation’ means linked to the present paper that sustainability reporting should focus more on providing information on internal organizational changes regarding sustainability implementation.
Key words
Corporate sustainability, sustainability reporting, automotive industry
Authors
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Sabrina Engert
(University of Graz)
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Martina Sukitsch
(University of Graz)
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Rupert J. Baumgartner
(University of Graz)
Topic Area
5a. Corporate Sustainability Strategies
Session
A2 » Ecosystem Pressures and Limits (11:00 - Friday, 10th July, D2.194)
Paper
150408_ISDRSC_15_full_paper.pdf
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