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Driving Change towards Sustainability in Public Bodies and Civil Society Organisations: Expert Interviews with UK Practitioners

Author

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  • Nicola Andreij Rieg

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Birgitta Gatersleben

    (School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Ian Christie

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

Abstract

While public bodies and civil society organisations play an important role in the transition towards a more sustainable society, there has been very limited research on how to make these institutions more sustainable. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to generate insights on processes and patterns of change towards sustainability, and to identify effective practices that might be transferred and adapted to different institutional contexts. The research followed an organisational change framework and a qualitative exploratory design. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with experienced sustainability practitioners working at leading organisations in the UK. Thematic analysis of the data revealed three overarching themes: knowledge and reflection, support and engagement, and driving and enabling change. From this, a framework for effective practice was developed, highlighting the importance of (i) explicitly linking organisational understanding to working practices through frequent and deliberate reflection; (ii) developing a support base that provides expertise and legitimacy; and (iii) using context-specific strategies for implementing planned changes, as well as supporting emergent change throughout organisational sub-systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicola Andreij Rieg & Birgitta Gatersleben & Ian Christie, 2023. "Driving Change towards Sustainability in Public Bodies and Civil Society Organisations: Expert Interviews with UK Practitioners," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:8292-:d:1150911
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Edwin E. Akins & Elizabeth Giddens & David Glassmeyer & Amy Gruss & Maria Kalamas Hedden & Vanessa Slinger-Friedman & Matthew Weand, 2019. "Sustainability Education and Organizational Change: A Critical Case Study of Barriers and Change Drivers at a Higher Education Institution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Eric S. Zeemering, 2018. "Sustainability management, strategy and reform in local government," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 136-153, January.
    3. Green, Duncan, 2016. "How Change Happens," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198785392.
    4. Nicola Andreij Rieg & Birgitta Gatersleben & Ian Christie, 2021. "Organizational Change Management for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Ludger Niemann & Thomas Hoppe, 2018. "Sustainability reporting by local governments: a magic tool? Lessons on use and usefulness from European pioneers," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 201-223, January.
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    1. Azrena Mohd Noor & Magiswary Dorasamy & Murali Raman, 2023. "The Influence of Commitment to Change and Change-Related Behaviour among Academics of Malaysian-Islamic Higher Learning Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-15, September.

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