Sustainable development-organizing an organization in a way that it can function in the long term-began gaining global attention in 1983 when the United Nations created the Brundtland Commission to offer various ways to save the human environment and natural resources and promote economic and social development. Corporate sustainability not only depends on the business's ability to function over a long period but also on sustainable relationships with stakeholders. This text offers a comprehensive perspective covering salient aspects of sustainable development with chapters contributed by experts from various countries. It provides guiding principles and tools for transformation and generates knowledge about sustainable organizational designs, sustainable business models, co-creating value with multiple stakeholders, and organizational transformation for sustainability. Written for students, faculty, researchers, professionals, and practitioners in the corporate world, this book will be a valuable resource in promoting sustainable development. Chapter 6 discusses the importance and impact of cultural diversity. Understanding various types of cultural diversity and how social identities may unconsciously impact employees' recruitment, performance, and retention will help managers foster inclusivity in the workplace. Creating more inclusive workplaces is a moral imperative and brings advantages of a diverse workforce. Lack of awareness about cultural diversity leads to a less talented work pool, increased organizational turnover costs, and lower business competitiveness. Various aspects of diversity and how to promote them are discussed, including gender, race, socioeconomic status, age, and marital and parental status. It will continue to be essential for global managers to understand how to attract and retain top talent regardless of demographics and help those of differing identities work together effectively.
In 2014, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Calvert Investments (Calvert) found herself at a crossroads. Under her stewardship, Calvert had become one of the world’s leading investment management firms, specialized in using sustainability as a platform to create value for investors. After having been recruited to the position from Wall Street, the CEO had enthusiastically embraced and encouraged Calvert’s unique positioning for 17 years. The idea of environmental, social, and governance sustainability had not only defined Calvert’s niche in investments, but had come to describe the CEO’s personal leadership style and shaped how she ran the company. However, with many apparent challenges to the environmental, social, and governance community and the broader investor community, the CEO wondered if the old way of doing sustainable and socially responsible investing was sufficient to support the changes that she felt were needed.
In 2014, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Calvert Investments (Calvert) found herself at a crossroads. Under her stewardship, Calvert had become one of the world's leading investment management firms, specialized in using sustainability as a platform to create value for investors. After having been recruited to the position from Wall Street, the CEO had enthusiastically embraced and encouraged Calvert's unique positioning for 17 years. The idea of environmental, social, and governance sustainability had not only defined Calvert's niche in investments, but had come to describe the CEO's personal leadership style and shaped how she ran the company. However, with many apparent challenges to the environmental, social, and governance community and the broader investor community, the CEO wondered if the old way of doing sustainable and socially responsible investing was sufficient to support the changes that she felt were needed.