The role of training in implementing corporate sustainability: A systematic literature review

Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

Authors

Our literature review synthesizes the ways in which training (of management and employees) affects the implementation of corporate sustainability (CS) in organizations. We structure the research field according to the determinants of, approaches to, and outcomes of training for CS. We explain current issues in this field and develop a research agenda. We conducted a systematic literature review starting with an initial sample of 1755 empirical studies. Based on their validity, relevance, and reliability, we selected and discussed the 67 seminal sources in this field. We find that several factors foster the use of training. Besides an intrinsic organizational interest in CS, regulation and stakeholder pressure encourage organizations to prioritize training. We identify multiple approaches to and applications of training. Training on CS may be focused or multifaceted, mandated or collaboratively-driven, but it should always be closely aligned with structure and strategic goals, and must be regularly evaluated. The literature shows that such serious and well-designed training is linked to better environmental, social, and economic performance. Our review is the first to address the role and application of training for CS. We contribute a synthesis of empirical evidence in the field, as well as a research agenda. We highlight that practice should not see CS training from the perspectives of compliance or greenwashing, but embrace the opportunity to create a thus far underestimated alignment with strategy and long-term performance.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCorporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management
Volume31
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)1-30
Number of pages30
ISSN1535-3958
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.2024

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

    Research areas

  • corporate social responsibility, corporate sustainability, sustainability accounting, sustainable development, systematic literature review, training
  • Management studies

DOI

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. Vom Saulus zum Paulus ?
  2. Emotional reactions to climate change
  3. The Tail Motion capture, Prohibition of Images
  4. Bromide strongly influences the formation of reaction products during the ozonation of diclofenac, metoprolol and isoproturon
  5. Diversity matters: the influence of gender diversity on the environmental orientation of entrepreneurial ventures
  6. Female Bodybuilding and Patriarchal Civilization. The Intrusion of a Practice in Sport into Artistic Fields and Visual Culture
  7. Lehrerangst
  8. Potential impact of climate change effects on preferences for tourism destinations
  9. Das Dorf, das die Armut wählte
  10. Usually hated, sometimes loved:
  11. Nachhaltige Entwicklung durch endogene Umweltwahrnehmung
  12. Lange erfolgreich lernen
  13. Das Dorf
  14. Der Stoff, der in der Zukunft ist
  15. Assessing the impact of the Rwandan refugee crisis on development planning in rural Tanzania, 1994-1996
  16. Translating picturebooks
  17. Audretsch, David B., Roy Thurik, Ingrid Verheul and Sander Wennekers (eds.), Entrepreneurship: Determinants and Policy in a European — U.S. Comparison
  18. Employees’ perceived benefits from participating in CSR activities and implications for increasing employees engagement in CSR
  19. Wer lehren will, der prüfe sich
  20. On “Nationology”
  21. European Management Styles
  22. Commonly agreed life cycle sustainability assessment principles
  23. Die documenta – ein Konflikt-Feld
  24. Methoden-Muster: Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
  25. Translating Pictures
  26. Quantitative Forschungsmethoden in der Erziehungswissenschaft