The challenge of integrating sustainability into talent and organization strategies: investing in the knowledge, skills and attitudes to achieve high performance

In: Corporate governance: international journal of business in society, Band 9, Heft 4, S. 484-494

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to address the importance of a framework for developing employees' sustainability knowledge, skills, and behaviors.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on in‐depth interviews with executives from five Fortune 1000 companies that are viewed as market leaders in addressing sustainability.FindingsThis paper provides a series of initiatives to equip their employees' talent – from top executives to employees throughout the organization – with the much needed, but often sorely lacking knowledge, skills and attitudes to spearhead efforts to attend to sustainability both today and tomorrow.Practical implicationsThe usefulness of demonstrating a company's suite of ongoing initiatives to address sustainability to potential employees during the recruiting process is highlighted by each company.Originality/valueThe framework covered by this paper can help companies enhance their talent management skills.