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Beyond win–win: A syncretic theory on corporate stakeholder engagement in sustainable development

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  • Fabien Martinez
  • Ken Peattie
  • Diego Vazquez‐Brust

Abstract

This article explores the concept of syncretism to articulate the construct of a novel theoretical approach that may help to accelerate progress in developing substantively more sustainable business activities. One reason why the integration of environmental and social responsibility in business has been so difficult to achieve in practice is that it is not just a battle of competing business logics but a battle of faiths. The concept of syncretism, with its roots in religious synthesis, may be far more relevant and useful than conventional approaches to combining the two, which rarely seem to rise above a “win–win” appeal to logic. The connectionist logic of syncretism may show us a way beyond paradigmatic conformity in business sustainability research so that scholars with diverse theoretical backgrounds might have a common ground for discussion, find constructive connections, and engage in potentially more insightful and creative interactions to develop our understanding of corporate sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabien Martinez & Ken Peattie & Diego Vazquez‐Brust, 2019. "Beyond win–win: A syncretic theory on corporate stakeholder engagement in sustainable development," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 896-908, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:28:y:2019:i:5:p:896-908
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2292
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    Cited by:

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    2. Noelia‐Sarah Reynolds & Diane Holt, 2021. "Sustainable development and profit? A sensemaking perspective on hybrid organisations and their founders," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 2147-2159, May.
    3. Khwaja Naveed & Cosmina L. Voinea & Zahid Ali & Fawad Rauf & Cosmin Fratostiteanu, 2021. "Board Gender Diversity and Corporate Social Performance in Different Industry Groups: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Jing Lu & Irene M. Herremans, 2019. "Board gender diversity and environmental performance: An industries perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1449-1464, November.
    5. Fabien Martinez & Ken Peattie & Diego Vazquez‐brust & Diego Vazquez-Brust, 2019. "Beyond win–win: A syncretic theory on corporate stakeholder engagement in sustainable development," Post-Print hal-02887685, HAL.

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