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From sustainable management to sustainable development: a longitudinal analysis of a leading New Zealand environmental reporter

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  • Helen Tregidga
  • Markus J. Milne

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an interpretive textual analysis of New Zealand's most consistent and arguably leading reporter on environmental and social impacts. Since 1995, Watercare Services Ltd, an Auckland‐based water utility, has been an award winning environmental reporter. The paper works with all of the organization's reports since 1993 through 2003 identifying and analysing the emergence and development of a sustainable development discourse. Focusing on the language and images used to construct meanings, and the context in which the reports emerged, the paper traces the organization's reporting developments. The paper illustrates how, in evolving from environmental reports to sustainable development reports, the organization has (re)constructed itself from one that sustainably manages resources to one that practises sustainable development. The implications of these developments are explored in terms of the literature on ‘capture’ and organizational change. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Helen Tregidga & Markus J. Milne, 2006. "From sustainable management to sustainable development: a longitudinal analysis of a leading New Zealand environmental reporter," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(4), pages 219-241, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:15:y:2006:i:4:p:219-241
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.534
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    References listed on IDEAS

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