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Towards the Sustainable Organization: Challenges and Barriers to Sustainability Integration

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  • Marjan ENTEKHABI

    (The “Lucian Blaga†University of Sibiu)

Abstract

This integrative review explores primary barriers to embedding sustainability in organizational operations globally and proposes practical solutions to advance sustainable practices. It identifies key challenges and effective strategies across diverse organizational contexts. The review synthesizes insights from scholarly sources, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and reports, primarily sourced from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and JSTOR, spanning the years 2000 to 2023. Using thematic analysis, it highlights ten critical barriers: resistance to change, resource limitations, measurement challenges, insufficient leadership commitment, short-term financial priorities, unclear metrics, regulatory complexities, supply chain intricacies, limited consumer demand, and lack of expertise. Findings indicate that fragmented regulations require proactive transparency, internal resistance demands robust communication and training, supply chain issues need advanced technologies and collaborative supplier relationships, and consumer demand benefits from education and certifications. Strategic partnerships, phased implementation, and targeted training address resource and expertise gaps, while standardized frameworks and enhanced data systems overcome measurement difficulties. The review offers a conceptual model linking barriers, impacts, and solutions, recommending stakeholder engagement, analytics investment, and adoption of frameworks like the Triple Bottom Line and SDGs. This study enriches understanding of sustainability integration by clarifying obstacles and providing actionable guidance for organizations pursuing sustainable outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Marjan ENTEKHABI, 2025. "Towards the Sustainable Organization: Challenges and Barriers to Sustainability Integration," Journal of Emerging Trends in Marketing and Management, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 1(2), pages 77-91, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aes:jetimm:v:1:y:2025:i:2:p:77-91
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • M16 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - International Business Administration

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