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3 - Exogenous Drivers of Corporate Environmental Sustainability Strategy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2019

Sanjay Sharma  and
Pramodita Sharma
Sanjay Sharma
Affiliation:
University of Vermont
Pramodita Sharma
Affiliation:
University of Vermont
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Summary

The two main exogenous drivers that have been examined in the environmental strategy literature are institutional and stakeholder influences. Drawing upon the institutional theory, organizations and natural environment and the family business literature the chapter develops insights into institutional influences and logics driving strategy in family firms. Drawing upon our primary data from the winery industry, it examines whether or not institutional forces will have a different influence on environmental sustainability strategies of family-owned firms as compared to non-family firms. Next, beginning with the foundational arguments of stakeholder theory including classification of stakeholders and their influences on a firms’ environmental strategy, the chapter argues that noticeably absent from the environmental sustainability strategy literature is a key stakeholder for family firms- the family. Based on this literature review and insights from our primary data, the chapter developd arguments about the influence of different stakeholders on family versus non-family firms, and how these influences are likely to impact the environmental sustainability strategy of these firms.

Keywords

Institutional influencesStakeholder influencesInstitutional entrepreneurshipStakeholder engagement
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Patient Capital
The Role of Family Firms in Sustainable Business
 , pp. 57 - 97
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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