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Purpose Implementation: Conceptualization and Measurement

Author

Listed:
  • Alvaro Lleo

    (TECNUN-Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad de Navarra, Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain)

  • Miquel Bastons

    (Department of Business Administration, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, C/de la Immaculada 22, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Carlos Rey

    (Department of Business Administration, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, C/de la Immaculada 22, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Fernando Ruiz-Perez

    (TECNUN-Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad de Navarra, Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain)

Abstract

Understanding what drives effective purpose implementation is the key to making more sustainable organizations. Most studies on the subject of purpose focus on two of its dimensions: formulation (knowledge) and practical application (contribution). However, for it to be effectively implemented in the organization, purpose also involves motivating and exciting people. In this article, we propose a three-dimensional formative second-order construct of purpose implementation based on the knowledge, internalization and contribution of purpose. In this conceptualization of purpose, for effective purpose implementation to occur, its three dimensions must be implemented intensively and consistently in a balanced way. Two separate studies were combined to develop a validated scale for measuring the intensity of purpose implementation and for demonstrating that the more intensely and consistently purpose is implemented within a company, the greater its impact on organizational citizenship behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Alvaro Lleo & Miquel Bastons & Carlos Rey & Fernando Ruiz-Perez, 2021. "Purpose Implementation: Conceptualization and Measurement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1921-:d:497423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nikolai Brosch, 2023. "Corporate purpose: from a ‘Tower of Babel’ phenomenon towards construct clarity," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 93(4), pages 567-595, May.
    2. Sergio Pardo-Jaramillo & Miguel I. Gómez & Andrés Muñoz-Villamizar & Álvaro Lleo-de-Nalda & Ignacio Osuna Soto, 2025. "Towards sustainable organizations through purpose-driven and customer-centric strategies," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 15(1), pages 191-227, June.
    3. Option Takunda Chiwaridzo, 2024. "Fostering sustainable practices in Zimbabwean tourism for firewood energy sustainability and efficiency amid costly renewables, weak policies, scarce electricity, and extensive deforestation," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 3840-3858, August.
    4. Diego Arias & Xabier Barriola & Cristian R. Loza Adaui, 2024. "Corporate purpose and early disaster response: Providing evidence of dynamic materiality?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4598-4612, July.
    5. Rob Kim Marjerison & Matthew Andrews & George Kuan, 2022. "Creating Sustainable Organizations through Knowledge Sharing and Organizational Agility: Empirical Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-23, April.
    6. Kyoko Sasaki & Wendy Stubbs & Megan Farrelly, 2023. "The relationship between corporate purpose and the sustainable development goals in large Japanese companies," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(5), pages 2475-2489, September.
    7. M. P. Florez-Jimenez & A. Lleo & P. Ruiz-Palomino & A. F. Muñoz-Villamizar, 2025. "Corporate sustainability, organizational resilience, and corporate purpose: a review of the academic traditions connecting them," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 67-104, January.
    8. Joan Enric Ricart & Carlos Rey, 2022. "Purpose in Corporate Governance: The Path towards a More Sustainable World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-11, April.

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