The heart of sustainability

• Main Authors: Lim, Jaslyn Hui Ting, Foo, Rachel Rong, Vicky Adijanto
• Other Authors: Tan Joo Seng
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Business::Management
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/48223
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Prior researches have vague and abstract definitions of the concept of the “core” of business and the process of applying sustainability at the core was also undefined. This study seeks to create a clearer understanding of integrating sustainability to the core of the business through the construction of the Heart of Sustainability (HOS) model. A deeper understanding of sustainability in three companies (namely DHL, Siloso Beach Resort (SBR) and National Library Board (NLB)) was also achieved through interviews and site visits. They were selected based on their outstanding performance in sustainability as they are recognised as winners of the Singapore Sustainability Awards 2011. Even though all three companies are from different industries, a standardized set of questions were asked during the interview to gain new insights from them. Based on the grounded theory approach, the HOS model was then developed. We discovered four main elements of sustainability (Strategy [S]”, “Branding [B]”, “Operations [O]” and “Culture [C]) and the HOS model depicts the different approaches that companies can use to integrate sustainability into their core of business. With the valuable information that was obtained through interviews with the three companies, we assessed the approaches that they have taken to integrate sustainability into the core and placed them in the HOS model. Limitations of this research were also discussed and we concluded with research implications and managerial implications.