Melchior Gromis di Trana, Simona Fiandrino and Dorra Yahiaoui
The aim of this study is twofold. First, the research aims to identify Integrated Thinking (IT) stages of development. Second, the research aims to investigate how IT has reacted…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is twofold. First, the research aims to identify Integrated Thinking (IT) stages of development. Second, the research aims to investigate how IT has reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic by accelerating integrated corporate social responsibility (CSR) practises.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a case study on an Italian multi-utility company, Iren Group. The research method uses triangulated data collected from semi-structured interviews and archival materials and it analyses data with a top-down and bottom-up coding procedure. This allows us to inductively develop a model of IT stages of development and CSR strategic postures as response patterns to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Findings
The research identifies the developmental paths of IT initiation, IT reactiveness and IT implementation responding to changes and challenges in times of crisis. Furthermore, the research provides stimuli for recovery to overcome periods of crisis through three main CSR strategic postures: stakeholder engagement, flexible proactiveness and democratic durability.
Practical implications
The research suggests that managers can adopt stakeholder engagement, flexible proactiveness and democratic durability as CSR strategic postures in order to integrate CSR practises into the company's DNA and overcome periods of crisis.
Originality/value
This is among the first studies that analyses how IT acts during a crisis in the multi-utility sector. There are three main stages of development, i.e. IT initiation, IT reactiveness and IT implementation, which are characterised by stakeholder engagement, flexible proactiveness and democratic durability.
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Melchior Gromis di Trana, Simona Fiandrino, Alberto Tonelli and Alain Devalle
The study aims to explore the role of stakeholder engagement for the sustainability materiality assessment process.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore the role of stakeholder engagement for the sustainability materiality assessment process.
Design/methodology/approach
The study develops a qualitative research approach based on a single case study. Triangulated data was collected from semi-structured interviews, sustainability reports and archival materials, and was analysed with a combined top-down and bottom-up coding procedure to generate explanatory categories.
Findings
The findings show that stakeholder engagement and sustainability materiality assessment are interconnected. Furthermore, the study highlights a circular perspective facilitated by three iterative mechanisms: sustainability interdisciplinarity, sense of belonging and cultural mindset.
Originality/value
Despite the extensive knowledge of stakeholder engagement regarding the practices and advantages, the understanding of its interplay with sustainability materiality assessment over time remains limited. Consequently, the research analyses the reciprocal relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability materiality in a circular way.
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Melchior Gromis di Trana, Fabrizio Bava and Pietro Pisoni
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the economic impact of a shift toward a more sustainable model in the wine industry. In particular it aims to identify the business…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the economic impact of a shift toward a more sustainable model in the wine industry. In particular it aims to identify the business activities which are more involved in this process under an economic perspective, as well as the strategies applied to guarantee profits.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is based on a single case study: Casa E. di Mirafiore e Fontanafredda. It is one of the main wine producers in Italy as well as one of the main drivers for the diffusion of a sustainable culture in the region.
Findings
The company value chain in the short time is negatively influenced by these changes, but at the same time they are strategic investments able to provide new opportunities for sales and cost reductions.
Research limitations/implications
The work uses a sole case study approach. As theoretical implications the study highlights how the “green shift” may be supported under an economic perspective. And it also shows the need to extend the evaluation over the sole company.
Practical implications
This research reduces an information gap concerning the economic effect produced by a sustainable conversion. It may inspire other companies to perform this evolution.
Originality/value
The research explores how Fontanafredda performed a conversion of its business model toward sustainability. This analysis is performed on the value chain but also over it.
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Alain Devalle, Melchior Gromis di Trana, Simona Fiandrino and Demetris Vrontis
This study aims to investigate the approaches to and the actions of integrated thinking (IT) based on stakeholder engagement practices to mitigate the perception of IT as an…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the approaches to and the actions of integrated thinking (IT) based on stakeholder engagement practices to mitigate the perception of IT as an “abstract construct” and to overcome the “silos” thinking of managing, communicating and reporting.
Design/methodology/approach
The research develops a single case-study of a leading Italian company in the sustainability setting: Lavazza. The authors gathered in-depth information with semi-structured interviews on their approaches to IT and actions of IT and the related stakeholder engagement practices which involved over time.
Findings
This study addresses the concept of IT, arguing for integrated circularity as a strategic mindset, which builds upon open communication and collaborative partnerships with stakeholders for value creation.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this study stem from the nature of a single case study, thus the findings are most relevant to those companies operating in comparable sectors with similar historical and organizational characteristics.
Practical implications
The study provides a systematic framework of IT approaches and related actions based on stakeholder engagement practices that define a company as an integrated thinker. This can be used by managers and companies to implement an integrated logic of thinking and reporting.
Originality/value
This is a pioneering study in this area as there are very few ones that take into account the relationship between the IT of design and reporting from a stakeholder perspective. The more IT is embedded in the business, the fuller the consideration of key stakeholders’ interests is incorporated as a relevant part of conducting business.
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Simona Fiandrino, Melchior Gromis di Trana, Alberto Tonelli and Antonella Lucchese
The aim of this paper is to provide the state of the art in the academic and professional debate on the disclosure quality of NFI. This analysis is driven by the need to feature…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide the state of the art in the academic and professional debate on the disclosure quality of NFI. This analysis is driven by the need to feature the dimensions of NFI quality that should be considered to improve the current regulatory framework towards a more transparent disclosure.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is an integrative literature review that assesses and synthesizes the scientific knowledge and the annexed documents collected during the public consultation for the Review of Non-financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) on the disclosure quality of non-financial information (NFI).
Findings
Findings show that there is a common consensus between scientific literature and the annexed documents of the consultation process on the Review of the NFRD on the need to enhance a double-materiality perspective, to provide specific contents on sustainability issues, to clarify the relevance of NFI, and to embed NFI into the management report in an integrated manner. Furthermore, there is an alignment related to timeliness in favour of a risk management procedure and a forward-looking approach.
Research limitations/implications
The research engages the debate on the NFI disclosure quality, in light of the recent Review of NRFD and the new Proposal of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive that extends and enhances the non-binding reporting guidelines of NFI.
Practical implications
The research provides a dashboard of the dimensions of NFI disclosure quality that aggregates the academics' and practitioners' knowledge systematically. It shows the interplay between the scholarly developments and the recent measures arisen in the consultation process to undertake NFI disclosure quality.
Originality/value
The research provides a lens to analyse, classify and interpret the insights emerged during the consultation process of the NFRD.