Cross-departmental teams and intrinsic motivation are key to embedding sustainability in core business operations.
Integrating sustainability into a company's core business is most effectively driven by dedicated, cross-departmental teams and fueled by a combination of personal and organizational values, rather than solely external pressures.
Sustainability · 2019
Key Findings
- 01Integrated cross-departmental sustainability management teams are commonly established.
- 02Personal and organizational values (e.g., culture, personal interest) are primary drivers of sustainability implementation.
- 03Lack of resources and organizational inertia are significant inhibiting factors.
- 04Companies tend to focus on established environmental and energy management topics.
Application
Design takeaway
Prioritize the establishment of cross-functional sustainability teams and cultivate internal values to drive integration, while actively addressing resource constraints and organizational resistance.
How to apply
When designing sustainability strategies or new product/service initiatives, advocate for the creation of cross-departmental working groups and emphasize the alignment with company values and employee interests.
Project actions
- 01When researching sustainability, look for how teams are structured and what motivates people within organizations.
- 02Consider how to design interventions that address both resource limitations and cultural resistance to change.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Addresses a specific research gap concerning mid-sized companies.
- +Provides a process model for understanding change agent impact.
- +Identifies both drivers and barriers to sustainability integration.
Limitations
The findings might be specific to the Austrian business context and the size of companies studied. The survey method relies on self-reported data, which could be subject to bias.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the survey depends on the clarity of questions and the consistency of responses. Validity is supported by addressing a specific research gap and proposing a process model, though further validation through case studies might enhance it.
Think critically
To what extent do external regulatory pressures or market demands play a role in sustainability integration, and how do they interact with the identified internal drivers and barriers?
Design Principles
"Intrinsic motivation and collaborative structures are more effective drivers of complex organizational change like sustainability integration than external mandates alone."
This research highlights that successful sustainability integration requires a proactive internal approach. Design practitioners can leverage this by advocating for structures and strategies that foster intrinsic motivation and collaborative efforts, moving beyond compliance-driven initiatives.
What This Means for Your Design
To make a company more sustainable, it's best to get different departments working together on it, and people need to genuinely care about it, not just be told to do it. Lack of money and resistance to change are big problems.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of organizational structure and motivational factors in the implementation of sustainable design solutions.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2019). Sustainability Management in Practice: Organizational Change for Sustainability in Smaller Large-Sized Companies in Austria. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030572 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/2050a8b2-0bb4-4424-a0ea-a97fbbefcc9e/cross-departmental-teams-and-intrinsic-motivation-are-key-to-embedding-sustainability-in-core-business-operations
Paragraph starter
This research indicates that successful integration of sustainability into core business operations is significantly influenced by the formation of cross-departmental management teams and is primarily driven by intrinsic motivations stemming from personal and organizational values. Overcoming barriers such as resource scarcity and organizational inertia is crucial, suggesting that design projects aiming for sustainability should incorporate strategies for team collaboration and value alignment, alongside practical resource allocation and change management support.
Source
Sustainability
Sustainability Management in Practice: Organizational Change for Sustainability in Smaller Large-Sized Companies in Austria
journal · 2019
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about cross-departmental teams and intrinsic motivation are key to embedding sustainability in core business operations?
- Prioritize the establishment of cross-functional sustainability teams and cultivate internal values to drive integration, while actively addressing resource constraints and organizational resistance. Evidence: Sustainability (2019).
- Why does "Cross-departmental teams and intrinsic motivation are key to embedding sustainability in core business operations." matter for design?
- This research highlights that successful sustainability integration requires a proactive internal approach. Design practitioners can leverage this by advocating for structures and strategies that foster intrinsic motivation and collaborative efforts, moving beyond compliance-driven initiatives.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Prioritize the establishment of cross-functional sustainability teams and cultivate internal values to drive integration, while actively addressing resource constraints and organizational resistance.
- What were the main findings?
- Integrated cross-departmental sustainability management teams are commonly established.. Personal and organizational values (e.g., culture, personal interest) are primary drivers of sustainability implementation.. Lack of resources and organizational inertia are significant inhibiting factors.. Companies tend to focus on established environmental and energy management topics.
- What research method was used?
- Survey with Companies with revenue of €50–300 million and at least 250 employees..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing sustainability strategies or new product/service initiatives, advocate for the creation of cross-departmental working groups and emphasize the alignment with company values and employee interests.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on Austrian companies, potentially limiting generalizability to other cultural or economic contexts. The focus on 'smaller large-sized' companies may not fully represent the challenges faced by very large corporations or small and medium enterprises.
- Is there evidence that sustainability affects design outcomes?
- Companies that successfully embed sustainability in their core operations typically use cross-functional teams and are motivated by internal values, though resource limitations and organizational resistance can be major hurdles. This research highlights that successful sustainability integration requires a proactive in Source: Sustainability (2019).
- Where does this intrinsic motivation research apply?
- Corporate sustainability management in mid-sized companies. It sits within innovation & design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
sustainability design research · evidence on sustainability · does sustainability improve design outcomes · intrinsic motivation studies for designers · sustainability and intrinsic motivation findings · innovation & design research evidence