Integrating sustainability practices into business strategies of consulting firms

: how is sustainability integrated into the business strategies of consulting firms in Germany?

Abstract

Design/Methodology/Approach: The investigation examines the roles of leadership commitment, client engagement, strategic relationships, market trends, regulatory compliance and employee involvement in promoting sustainability through qualitative interviews and a case study. Findings: Key findings highlight the importance of strategic alliances for accessing expertise, the challenges of handling complex regulations and the important role of leadership in initiating sustainability projects. Benefits include cost reduction, increased customer value and increased stakeholder trust. Research Limitations/Implications: The study provides useful insights but is limited by its sample size and geographic focus. Future research could assess the long-term impact of sustainability initiatives and explore practices in diverse regulatory environments. Practical Implications: Consulting firms play an important role in promoting sustainable practices. The study offers practical advice for enhancing sustainability strategies, such as boosting leadership commitment, forming strategic alliances and effectively managing regulatory challenges. Social Implications: By adopting sustainable practices, consulting firms contribute to broader societal goals like social responsibility and environmental protection and they help set industry standards for sustainability. Originality: This study provides new insights into how consulting firms can adopt sustainability practices, based on nine interviews and a case study from PwC.

Date of Award	10 Jul 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Augusto Sales (Supervisor)