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Achieving Corporate Sustainability: Toward a Practical Theory

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  • Sooksan Kantabutra

    (Center for Research on Sustainable Leadership, College of Management, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand)

Abstract

The present study aims at exploring processual relationships between corporate sustainability predictors and sustainability performance, as informed by the Thai philosophy of Sufficiency Economy, and accordingly proposes a theory of corporate sustainability to fill in the fundamental gap in the literature. Based on a framework derived from the literature, multi-data collection methods and the framework approach to qualitative data analysis are adopted to explore the relationships at a sustainable enterprise in Thailand. Findings reveal six processual relationships leading to improving corporate sustainability performance directly and indirectly. Grounded upon seven established theories, the existing empirical literature and the findings of the present study, a coherent theory of corporate sustainability is developed to inform future theory building and guide future corporate sustainability research. Managerial implications and future research directions are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Sooksan Kantabutra, 2019. "Achieving Corporate Sustainability: Toward a Practical Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-39, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:15:p:4155-:d:253771
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    6. Sooksan Kantabutra & Nuttasorn Ketprapakorn, 2021. "Toward an Organizational Theory of Resilience: An Interim Struggle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-28, November.
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    8. Suwongrat Papangkorn & Pattanaporn Chatjuthamard & Sirimon Treepongkaruna, 2022. "Sustainable development and firm performance: Evidence from Thailand's sufficiency economy philosophy," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(5), pages 1030-1043, October.
    9. Preechaya Chavalittumrong & Mark Speece, 2022. "Three-Pillar Sustainability and Brand Image: A Qualitative Investigation in Thailand’s Household Durables Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-22, September.
    10. Veerawin Korphaibool & Pattanaporn Chatjuthamard & Sirimon Treepongkaruna, 2021. "Scoring Sufficiency Economy Philosophy through GRI Standards and Firm Risk: A Case Study of Thai Listed Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, February.
    11. Hee‐Chan Song, 2020. "Sufficiency economy philosophy: Buddhism‐based sustainability framework in Thailand," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 2995-3005, December.
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    13. Suparak Suriyankietkaew & Krittawit Krittayaruangroj & Nacharee Iamsawan, 2022. "Sustainable Leadership Practices and Competencies of SMEs for Sustainability and Resilience: A Community-Based Social Enterprise Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-36, May.
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