This study finds that a classification system of beliefs—action logics—is suitable to understand the beliefs held by sustainability
managers. Beliefs underpin individual behavior and can substantially influence how businesses behave. We present what beliefs
are held by corporate sustainability managers through a qualitative research design. We show how individual beliefs, as building
blocks of individual behavior, are linked to the implementation challenges related to corporate goals and processes that must be
addressed to move beyond business-as-
usual
with corporate sustainability transformation. Our study finds that the advanced
action logics of Strategist and Alchemist are most suitable for effecting a corporate sustainability transformation. Enablers for
individuals to be more ethical and effective sustainability managers are proposed, with the view to encourage the action logics
of the Strategist and the Alchemist at the organizational and individual manager level and to speed up the implementation of
corporate sustainability transformation activities. The enablers are the comprehensive integration of sustainability into the core
business, creating safe corporate spaces for experimentation and reflection, encouraging new forms of collaboration within and
outside the business.