Current Research on Business and Sustainability

New Ashridge research on sustainability and organisational change

To explore the question – How do we successfully effect change towards sustainable business practice? Ashridge has launched an action research inquiry, bringing together sustainability and CSR professionals from sector-leading businesses to research effective practice within their own organisations and identify actions for achieving more ambitious and far reaching change.

Alexandra Stubbings, the inquiry's facilitator, says "taking an Action Research approach to this inquiry enables us to not only explore, in detail, the conditions that lead to successful change, but also uncovers new opportunities for experimentation and innovation. The very process of asking new questions in our organisations can prompt new thinking, and that's what successful engagement with environmental and social responsibility requires".

So far the inquiry group includes representatives from Banking, Technology, Manufacturing, FMCG, Retail and Media, as well as Ashridge itself. The group is planning to publish its initial findings towards the end of this year.

If you'd like to know more about the research or are interested in participating, contact Alexandra at alexandra.stubbings@ashridge.org.uk.

Insider Voices: Human dimensions of low carbon technology

Ashridge MSc in Sustainability and Responsibility faculty Gill Coleman and Chris Seeley play leading role in new research from the University of Bath.

When people talk about reducing carbon emissions, they usually talk about technologies or economics.  But the five year Lowcarbonworks research project reveals that’s not enough. Unless we understand the wider systemic context of low carbon initiatives and the human relationships required to drive innovation forward, we will not achieve a low carbon future.

Drawing heavily on seven insider accounts of low carbon initiatives involving industry and local authorities, this conference showed how managers and policy makers can make practical use of technological transition theories.

Developing the Global Leader of Tomorrow

Ashridge explores the views of CEOs globally on the knowledge and skills required by senior executives to respond to trends like climate change, resource scarcity and doing business in emerging markets marked by poverty, corruption and human rights violations.

The research has been led by Matthew Gitsham and conducted in partnership with the European Academy of Business in Society and in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University, the Center for Creative Leadership, China Europe International Business School, IEDC-Bled, IESE, INSEAD, Tecnológico de Monterrey, the University of Cape Town and the University of Waikato. The research is in support of the United Nations Global Compact Principles for Responsible Management Education.

Surviving with Values - Ashridge research shows leaders don't have to leave their values at the door

As a leader you are now responsible for achieving performance with less resources, while solving major issues in society such as climate change and poverty, in an ever more complex, competitive global world. The pressure is on.

No wonder leaders increasingly look for short-cuts, and often believe there is no place for moral values at work.

But not all do, all the time. Some of us manage to create space for moral values and ethics and survive or even thrive in their organisation.

Download the Surviving with Values report here