The evolving role of chief sustainability officers: They once focused on optics and reputation
By: Eccles, Robert G. and Taylor, Alison
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Material type: 
BookPublisher: Harvard Business Review Description: 10(4), Jul-Aug, 2023: p.76-85.Subject(s): Business Ethics Business and Management, general Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) Corporate governance Education Environmental performance Ethics Institutional theory Management Philosophy Quality of Life Research Sustainability Upper echelons theory
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Harvard Business ReviewSummary: The role of the CSO is undergoing a rapid and dramatic transformation. Historically CSOs have acted like stealth PR executives—their primary task was to tell an appealing story about corporate sustainability initiatives to the company’s many stakeholders. Now, however, some CSOs have moved away from a role centered on messaging and instead are spearheading the true integration of material ESG (environmental, social, and governance) issues into corporate strategy. This pivotal change requires close collaboration with other members of the senior leadership team and active engagement with investors. This article argues for four major changes to the CSO role. The CSO should be involved in strategy and capital allocation; be more focused on and realistic about stakeholder interactions; be more fully engaged with investors; and be supported with sufficient resources and exper¬tise throughout the entire organization, including on the board and senior leadership team.In an ideal world, the authors say, a stand-alone CSO role would become obsolete once companies fully integrate ESG considerations into their corporate strategy and operations. Until that day arrives, however, it is crucial to adapt and evolve the CSO role. – Reproduced
https://hbr.org/2023/07/the-evolving-role-of-chief-sustainability-officers
| Item type | Current location | Call number | Vol info | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Articles
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Indian Institute of Public Administration | 10(4), Jul-Aug, 2023: p.76-85 | Available | AR130190 |
The role of the CSO is undergoing a rapid and dramatic transformation. Historically CSOs have acted like stealth PR executives—their primary task was to tell an appealing story about corporate sustainability initiatives to the company’s many stakeholders. Now, however, some CSOs have moved away from a role centered on messaging and instead are spearheading the true integration of material ESG (environmental, social, and governance) issues into corporate strategy. This pivotal change requires close collaboration with other members of the senior leadership team and active engagement with investors. This article argues for four major changes to the CSO role. The CSO should be involved in strategy and capital allocation; be more focused on and realistic about stakeholder interactions; be more fully engaged with investors; and be supported with sufficient resources and exper¬tise throughout the entire organization, including on the board and senior leadership team.In an ideal world, the authors say, a stand-alone CSO role would become obsolete once companies fully integrate ESG considerations into their corporate strategy and operations. Until that day arrives, however, it is crucial to adapt and evolve the CSO role. – Reproduced
https://hbr.org/2023/07/the-evolving-role-of-chief-sustainability-officers
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