Planet first (incorporating sustainability in corporate strategy)

Citation

Langenwalter, G.A. (2010), "Planet first (incorporating sustainability in corporate strategy)", Strategic Direction, Vol. 26 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sd.2010.05626bad.002

Planet first (incorporating sustainability in corporate strategy)

Article Type: Abstracts From: Strategic Direction, Volume 26, Issue 2

Langenwalter G.A.Industrial Management (USA), July/August 2009, Vol. 51 No. 4, Start page: 10, No. of pages: 3

Purpose – Advocates incorporation of sustainability in corporate strategy. Design/methodology/approach – Contends that, like lean, sustainability can generate performance improvement, gives three definitions of sustainability, and cites three books presenting three approaches providing superior returns to shareholders over ten-year periods: living asset stewardship; better-than-great, servant-led firms; and firms of endearment. Asserts that sustainability is a whole-systems view of the planet and people, outlines differences in the approaches to people of conventional, lean and sustainable companies, states that convential companies assume that resources are inexhaustible, mentions decline in global oil and water resources, but omits proposals suggesting how sustainable companies can overcome these shortages. Argues that sustainability embraces profit, submits that companies that respect people and the planet earn higher profit, and explains how to integrate sustainability in a strategic plan, advising focus on the value the company offers society, moving to streams of renewable resources and ensuring transparency. Lists seven steps for creating and implementing a sustainable strategic plan of opportunity assessment, values alignment, initial education, sustainable strategy, metrics, action planning and team launch. Originality/value – Broad overview/argument.ISSN: 0019-8471Article type: General reviewReference: 38AT774

Keywords: Corporate strategy, Strategic planning, Sustainable development