Developing model for integrating sustainability into enterprise operations

The study aims to develop a model which helps integrate sustainability into business processes of a firm. The earlier study from Thailand's Management System Certification Institute or MASCI with its international partners shows that there are nine elements (anticipation, concern, leadership, communication, capability, planning, execution, performance, and report) when integrating sustainability into enterprise-wide operations. Model development is based on extending this study. It is viewed that sustainability is one of the key strategies to advance beyond the Original Equipment Manufacturer status for the manufacturing sector in the country. MASCI engages with 504 organisations which have been extensively trained or certified with the international standards on quality and environment as well as applications such as Global Reporting Initiative and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. The model shows the interrelationships among the nine elements deemed as critical for integrating sustainability into enterprise operations. It highlights the importance of the leadership, planning, and performance as the main elements for integrating sustainability into enterprise operations. The comparison with the sugar industry's development supports the model and its highlight on these three components.