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Sustainability as Practice: Reflections on the Creation of an Institutional Logic

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  • Minelle E. Silva

    (University of Fortaleza, Av. Washigton Soares, 1321, Bloco E, Sala 13, Edson Queiroz, Fortaleza, Ceará 60811-905, Brazil)

  • Marina D. Figueiredo

    (University of Fortaleza, Av. Washigton Soares, 1321, Bloco E, Sala 13, Edson Queiroz, Fortaleza, Ceará 60811-905, Brazil)

Abstract

Debates over social and organisational sustainability are constant because sustainability must stem from beliefs and goals that social and economic actors share. However, there is still a gap in the knowledge about how sustainability is practiced. In this theoretical paper, we use institutional logic (IL) to assume that the logic of sustainability can contribute to sustainability studies by explaining how practices are socially constructed and shared among actors. We consider sustainability as a practice by articulating IL through an understanding of practice-based studies (PBS). Sustainability as a practice facilitates the emergence of new organisational values and contributes to changes that support a new institutional logic. Hence, we define the institutional logic of sustainability (ILS) as a theoretical approach enabling comprehension of how sustainability can be observed and practiced through socially constructed actions and intentions. We highlight its relevance to deep sustainability studies and argue that by using different roles and meanings surrounding its performance, sustainability as a practice can facilitate studies about organisations.

Suggested Citation

  • Minelle E. Silva & Marina D. Figueiredo, 2017. "Sustainability as Practice: Reflections on the Creation of an Institutional Logic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-13, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:10:p:1839-:d:114823
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    Cited by:

    1. Ivana Milosevic & A. Erin Bass & Ben Schulte, 2023. "The Interplay of Conflicting and Complementing Institutional Logics in Sustainability Practices," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(3), pages 469-506, June.
    2. Maija Lähteenkorva, 2025. "Institutionalizing Sustainability: The Role of Multiple Logics in B Corp Course Integration," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 199(3), pages 481-494, July.
    3. Magnus Boström & Erik Andersson & Monika Berg & Karin Gustafsson & Eva Gustavsson & Erik Hysing & Rolf Lidskog & Erik Löfmarck & Maria Ojala & Jan Olsson & Benedict E. Singleton & Sebastian Svenberg &, 2018. "Conditions for Transformative Learning for Sustainable Development: A Theoretical Review and Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Minelle E. Silva & Breno Nunes, 2022. "Institutional logic for sustainable purchasing and supply management: Concepts, illustrations, and implications for business strategy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 1138-1151, March.
    5. Liliane Carmagnac & Minelle E. Silva & Morgane M. C. Fritz, 2024. "Exploring sustainable development goals adoption in supply chain management: A typology of coexisting institutional logics," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 3463-3479, May.
    6. Olivier Boiral & Marie‐Christine Brotherton & David Talbot & Laurence Guillaumie, 2022. "Legitimizing unsustainable practices: The institutional logics of pro‐pesticide organizations," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2284-2298, July.
    7. Disraeli Asante-Darko & Samuel Ato Dadzie & Amoako Kwarteng & Sena Agbodjah & Theodora Ekua Aryee, 2024. "Effects of Circular Economy Practices and Accounting Innovations on Sustainable Development Goals," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(4), pages 3059-3092, December.
    8. Hugo Guyader & Brenda Nansubuga & Karin Skill, 2021. "Institutional Logics at Play in a Mobility-as-a-Service Ecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-25, July.

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