Creating sustainable value: A strength-based whole system approach

Chris Laszlo; David L. Cooperrider

doi:10.1108/S1475-9152(2010)0000003006

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Advances in Appreciative Inquiry

ISSN: 1475-9152
Series editor(s): Professor David Cooperrider, Professor Michel Avital

Subject Area: Organization Studies

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Creating sustainable value: A strength-based whole system approach

Document Information:
Title:	Creating sustainable value: A strength-based whole system approach
Author(s):	Chris Laszlo, David L. Cooperrider
Volume:	3 Editor(s): Tojo Thatchenkery, David L. Cooperrider, Michel Avital ISBN: 978-0-85724-369-0 eISBN: 978-0-85724-370-6
Citation:	Chris Laszlo, David L. Cooperrider (2010), Creating sustainable value: A strength-based whole system approach, in Tojo Thatchenkery, David L. Cooperrider, Michel Avital (ed.) Positive Design and Appreciative Construction: From Sustainable Development to Sustainable Value (Advances in Appreciative Inquiry, Volume 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp.17-33
DOI:	10.1108/S1475-9152(2010)0000003006 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Article type:	Chapter Item
Abstract:	We provide seven steps to integrating sustainability into strategy and operations. The process is designed to enable business leaders to reframe sustainability as a source of value creation using a life cycle collaborative approach to innovation instead of piecemeal change led by small groups of experts. Furthermore, the approach builds on the strengths of whole business systems rather than attempting to fix the weaknesses of individual actors as is typical of many strategy execution efforts. The chapter begins with a survey of perceptions about the meaning of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey shows both significant confusion about the concepts themselves, and an opportunity for first movers to differentiate themselves by adopting an approach to sustainability based on innovation and business value. The seven steps are then presented using a strength-based whole system approach to compress the time and resources required to achieve the desired results.