Redefining the Strategy Field in the Age of Sustainability

In “Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility: Psychological and Organizational Perspectives” Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press

44 Pages Posted: 28 Apr 2014 Last revised: 17 Sep 2023

See all articles by Ioannis Ioannou

Ioannis Ioannou

London Business School - Department of Strategic & International Management

Olga Hawn

UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

Date Written: July 24, 2019

Abstract

We examine how the strategy field is defined in the literature and find that most conceptualizations focus on financial metrics as measures of performance and only provide guidance on the strategic management of a corporation’s economic context. We then review the externalities and corporate social responsibility literatures and find that environmental and social performance is examined either in isolation or by assuming a strong form of independence from financial performance. Therefore, we identify a clear gap within the strategy field with regards to our understanding of the fundamental strategic problem in the age of sustainability. Importantly, we suggest and discuss an extended definition (i.e., a reconceptualization) of the strategy field, thus expanding its boundaries. We conclude by discussing implications for future research and practice.

Keywords: strategy, sustainability, CSR, externalities

JEL Classification: L1, L2, D6, M1, M2

Suggested Citation

Ioannou, Ioannis and Hawn, Olga, Redefining the Strategy Field in the Age of Sustainability (July 24, 2019). In “Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility: Psychological and Organizational Perspectives” Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2429870 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2429870

Ioannis Ioannou (Contact Author)

London Business School - Department of Strategic & International Management ( email )

Sussex Place
Regent's Park
London, NW1 4SA
United Kingdom
02070008748 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ioannou.us

Olga Hawn

UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School ( email )

Chapel Hill, NC 27599
United States

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