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International retailers as a main force for sustainability

Elg, Ulf LU (2024) In International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management 52(13). p.47-61
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates how global retailers develop sustainability through network interactions that influence institutionalized sustainability perceptions. The findings enable retailers to drive sustainability systematically and understand the critical internal and external issues.

Design/methodology/approach
The study investigates how retailers can work to increase support for sustainability through the normative, cognitive, and regulative institutional pillars. The network perspective suggests the need to offer relevant resources, involve influential actors and perform supporting activities to mobilise stakeholders. Empirically, qualitative case studies of IKEA and Hennes & Mauritz were... (More)
Purpose
This study investigates how global retailers develop sustainability through network interactions that influence institutionalized sustainability perceptions. The findings enable retailers to drive sustainability systematically and understand the critical internal and external issues.

Design/methodology/approach
The study investigates how retailers can work to increase support for sustainability through the normative, cognitive, and regulative institutional pillars. The network perspective suggests the need to offer relevant resources, involve influential actors and perform supporting activities to mobilise stakeholders. Empirically, qualitative case studies of IKEA and Hennes & Mauritz were conducted.

Findings
Based on the network and institutional perspectives, the study identified nine fields that retailers can use to develop sustainability internally and in their networks. The study shows that they can mobilise actors, resources, and activities to change institutionalised values and practices.

Originality/value
The developed model provides guidelines on how to systematically work with sustainability. The broad view developed is particularly relevant considering that most of the existing research on global firms and sustainability focuses on a narrow research problem without relating it to sustainability as a complex and overarching phenomenon.
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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Global retailing, Sustainability, Networks, Institutional perspective
in
International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management
volume
52
issue
13
pages
47 - 61
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • scopus:85196740335
ISSN
0959-0552
DOI
10.1108/IJRDM-10-2023-0625
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9250bad2-8e91-4ec0-aa68-1909e609b65c
date added to LUP
2024-07-04 14:33:42
date last changed
2024-07-05 04:00:57
@article{9250bad2-8e91-4ec0-aa68-1909e609b65c,
  abstract     = {{Purpose<br/>This study investigates how global retailers develop sustainability through network interactions that influence institutionalized sustainability perceptions. The findings enable retailers to drive sustainability systematically and understand the critical internal and external issues.<br/><br/>Design/methodology/approach<br/>The study investigates how retailers can work to increase support for sustainability through the normative, cognitive, and regulative institutional pillars. The network perspective suggests the need to offer relevant resources, involve influential actors and perform supporting activities to mobilise stakeholders. Empirically, qualitative case studies of IKEA and Hennes &amp; Mauritz were conducted.<br/><br/>Findings<br/>Based on the network and institutional perspectives, the study identified nine fields that retailers can use to develop sustainability internally and in their networks. The study shows that they can mobilise actors, resources, and activities to change institutionalised values and practices.<br/><br/>Originality/value<br/>The developed model provides guidelines on how to systematically work with sustainability. The broad view developed is particularly relevant considering that most of the existing research on global firms and sustainability focuses on a narrow research problem without relating it to sustainability as a complex and overarching phenomenon.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Elg, Ulf}},
  issn         = {{0959-0552}},
  keywords     = {{Global retailing; Sustainability; Networks; Institutional perspective}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  number       = {{13}},
  pages        = {{47--61}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management}},
  title        = {{International retailers as a main force for sustainability}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-10-2023-0625}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/IJRDM-10-2023-0625}},
  volume       = {{52}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}