Tesi etd-11132024-105944
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Tipo di tesi
Dottorato
Autore
TOSI, DUCCIO
URN
etd-11132024-105944
Titolo
Navigating complexity in embedding sustainability within organizations
Settore scientifico disciplinare
SECS-P/08
Corso di studi
Istituto di Management - PHD IN MANAGEMENT - INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTHCARE
Commissione
relatore Prof. TESTA, FRANCESCO
Membro Prof. PASSETTI, EMILIO
Membro Prof.ssa FERRÓN VÍLCHEZ, VERA
Membro Prof. PASSETTI, EMILIO
Membro Prof.ssa FERRÓN VÍLCHEZ, VERA
Parole chiave
- complexity
- conflicting tensions
- embedding sustainability
- organizational dynamics
Data inizio appello
11/02/2025;
Disponibilità
parziale
Riassunto analitico
Organizations cannot contribute to a real sustainable development if they limit corporate sustainability management to reductionist and simplistic approaches ultimately aimed at improving mere economic performance (Schad & Bansal, 2018). Recently, scholars have emphasized the need for organizations to adopt a systems view of sustainability that, recognizing the inherent interconnections between economic activities, nature and society as a whole, attaches intrinsic value to all elements of sustainability without prioritizing one over another (Williams et al., 2017). This perspective involves accepting and navigating the complexity arising from multiple and often conflicting objectives pertaining to the different dimensions of sustainability in order to generate holistic value and make an effective contribution to sustainable development. However, what still remains obscure is how these systems logics can permeate throughout organizations. To understand this, the present thesis investigates the organizational dynamics that enable a full embeddedness of sustainability into organizations, according to a systems view which involves navigating the complexity and the conflicting tensions that the implementation of sustainability practices entails. Thus, the main research question of this dissertation is: How and which organizational dynamics allow organizations to address and manage the complexity they experience in implementing sustainability practices, in order to substantially and effectively contribute to sustainable development?. To answer this macro question, three other research questions have been derived. Chapters two, three, and four of this thesis address them one by one.
In particular, the second chapter of this dissertation aims to answer research question I): What are the organizational factors and attributes that enable companies to recognize and navigate the tensions arising from the implementation of sustainability practices?. I focus on private companies and circular economy practices. Drawing on paradox theory and an extensive analysis of the literature I develop hypotheses and test them through structural equation modeling and hierarchical regressions. Results indicate that cognitive diversity of internal managerial figures and supply chain collaboration foster the recognition of circular economy tensions. In addition, I find that companies with flexible organizational design, which collaborate with other supply chain actors, and recognize circular economy tensions are more likely to navigate circular economy paradoxes. Finally, the study indicates that establishing an experimentation and dialogue space increases the effect of flexible organizational design on navigating circular economy paradoxes.
The third chapter addresses research question II): How do public organizations embed sustainability practices in the face of multiple and conflicting objectives? And what roles do organizational features and the external context play?. In this chapter I specifically focus on sustainable public procurement (SPP) and, thus, on public organizations as they are subject to very different dynamics and circumstances compared to private companies. A qualitative analysis was conducted, using a multiple case study design. Findings reveal four distinct approaches to Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP)—Compliant/Passive, Convenience, Sustainability-Centric, and Comprehensive—that reflect different responses to complexity. When sustainability is more entrenched within organizations, they tend to adopt a holistic perspective, recognizing temporal and spatial interconnections between their activities, nature, and society. Market, regulatory, and social contexts amplify the complexity of SPP implementation, while factors pertaining to organizational setting and organizational self-efficacy emerge as influential in shaping how SPP is embedded.
The fourth chapter investigates research question III): What are the situation- and person-related factors that contribute to managing conflicting work pressures and stimulating individual behaviors that facilitate a substantial embeddedness of sustainability practices within organizations?. In this chapter the focus is on the organizational dynamics at the individual and work context level. Drawing on data collected through a survey of employees and relying on social exchange theory I develop and test an empirical model in which green work climate (as a situation-related factor), through the mediation of work meaningfulness (as a person-related factor), predicts employees’ eco-initiatives. In addition, the moderating effect of supervisor environmental priority on the relation between work meaningfulness and employees’ eco-initiatives is also explored, recognizing that the supervisor’s attitude is a crucial (contextual) factor in guiding and influencing employee behaviors and, therefore, in preventing employees from neglecting environmental aspects due to conflicting work pressures. The results confirm all the hypotheses of the study.
In particular, the second chapter of this dissertation aims to answer research question I): What are the organizational factors and attributes that enable companies to recognize and navigate the tensions arising from the implementation of sustainability practices?. I focus on private companies and circular economy practices. Drawing on paradox theory and an extensive analysis of the literature I develop hypotheses and test them through structural equation modeling and hierarchical regressions. Results indicate that cognitive diversity of internal managerial figures and supply chain collaboration foster the recognition of circular economy tensions. In addition, I find that companies with flexible organizational design, which collaborate with other supply chain actors, and recognize circular economy tensions are more likely to navigate circular economy paradoxes. Finally, the study indicates that establishing an experimentation and dialogue space increases the effect of flexible organizational design on navigating circular economy paradoxes.
The third chapter addresses research question II): How do public organizations embed sustainability practices in the face of multiple and conflicting objectives? And what roles do organizational features and the external context play?. In this chapter I specifically focus on sustainable public procurement (SPP) and, thus, on public organizations as they are subject to very different dynamics and circumstances compared to private companies. A qualitative analysis was conducted, using a multiple case study design. Findings reveal four distinct approaches to Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP)—Compliant/Passive, Convenience, Sustainability-Centric, and Comprehensive—that reflect different responses to complexity. When sustainability is more entrenched within organizations, they tend to adopt a holistic perspective, recognizing temporal and spatial interconnections between their activities, nature, and society. Market, regulatory, and social contexts amplify the complexity of SPP implementation, while factors pertaining to organizational setting and organizational self-efficacy emerge as influential in shaping how SPP is embedded.
The fourth chapter investigates research question III): What are the situation- and person-related factors that contribute to managing conflicting work pressures and stimulating individual behaviors that facilitate a substantial embeddedness of sustainability practices within organizations?. In this chapter the focus is on the organizational dynamics at the individual and work context level. Drawing on data collected through a survey of employees and relying on social exchange theory I develop and test an empirical model in which green work climate (as a situation-related factor), through the mediation of work meaningfulness (as a person-related factor), predicts employees’ eco-initiatives. In addition, the moderating effect of supervisor environmental priority on the relation between work meaningfulness and employees’ eco-initiatives is also explored, recognizing that the supervisor’s attitude is a crucial (contextual) factor in guiding and influencing employee behaviors and, therefore, in preventing employees from neglecting environmental aspects due to conflicting work pressures. The results confirm all the hypotheses of the study.
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