A sustainability strategy implementation for a software development company: A comprehensive framework
Author: Venessa Darroll
Supervisors: Henk Roodt Jeremy Taylor
Darroll, V. (2022). A sustainability strategy implementation for a software development company: A comprehensive framework. (A redacted thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Professional Practice, Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand). https://doi.org/10.34074/thes.5827
Abstract
This thesis describes the prompting research, circumstances and processes and the definition of a framework for business sustainability implementation.
This work-based research project journey unearthed several realisations about the complexity, uncertainty and contradiction of sustainability as a concept in the current economic and business environment. Therefore, I defined this framework to complement other sustainability models and manage a company's sustainability strategy and body of work within the company's operations. The framework is comprehensive in that it looks at sustainability as part of business operations - not as a standalone initiative.
The comprehensive framework is a 4-component framework that could help businesses integrate sustainability into business operations. The first component is a conceptual model, which illustrates this process of sustainability integration into the business. It depicts a working knowledge as the collection of inputs, for example, resources, research, stakeholder feedback and actions from the operating model. It then describes the processing of these inputs as an iterative cycle of action and learning. The funnel depicts the notion that the process is managed by values-based pragmatic leadership, implying that leaders take responsibility.
The second component of the framework is the implementation model, which outlines a process for implementing and managing sustainability across the business. It encapsulates the pillars of strategy, project management and sustainability as a guideline for business activities like planning, execution, sourcing and incorporating feedback. The model addresses key points like obtaining commitment, the steps to establishing and executing sustainability objectives, building maturity, awareness, education, transparency of communication, and the controls for effective management.
The third component is a responsibilities matrix, which defines that accountability should be shared across the organisation and outlines key focus areas for various disciplines, divisions, or roles.
The fourth component is the leadership model, an interpretation of values-based leadership, which deals with changing the business's mindset or culture. It encourages leaders to know why sustainability is important, to redefine the definition of excellence to include sustainability, to promote stewardship and to work with others while at the same time doing what makes sense to the business.
My action research continues at this company and potentially other companies where I expect to gain more insights. I hope to share this framework and insights with interested parties to gather further insights.
Keywords: business, sustainability, strategy, values-based, pragmatic, framework
Venessa's research was supervised by Henk Roodt and Jeremy Taylor.
Licence
A redacted version of the thesis is publicly available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International
