This casebook argues that corporate sustainability agendas should look
beyond stakeholder demands and desires, towards strategic opportunities
to achieve social and commercial benefits simultaneously. It encourages
shifting focus from a strategic approach to a sustainable business
practice. As the cases in the book highlight, it is in every company's
best interest to identify a manageable number of sustainability
initiatives whose shared benefits--for society at large and the
company--are significant and also substantially help the company
strategically position itself in the competitive marketplace. Strategic
sustainable business practices can lead to shared value creation,
strengthening the company's competitiveness and establishing a symbiotic
relationship. Companies can achieve solid profits by doing good things
for the environment; it is a "win-win" for society and for business.
This casebook provides examples of multi-stakeholder partnerships that
aim to create sustainable enterprises. Ideal for teaching purposes,
after a brief introduction to the case method, the cases are presented
with no comments or criticisms.