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Short on Time: Intertemporal Tensions in Business Sustainability

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  • Natalie Slawinski

    (Faculty of Business Administration, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland A1B 3X5, Canada)

  • Pratima Bansal

    (Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada)

Abstract

This inductive study of five firms in Alberta’s oil sands examines how organizations attend to the intertemporal tensions between the short term and long term that are inherent in business sustainability. Grounding our insights in organizational responses to the climate change issue, we find that firms that juxtapose the short term and long term also confront the tension between business and society. These firms are, therefore, more likely to recognize the complexity of climate change and the need for integrated, multidimensional solutions. These insights contribute to prior research in business sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalie Slawinski & Pratima Bansal, 2015. "Short on Time: Intertemporal Tensions in Business Sustainability," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(2), pages 531-549, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:26:y:2015:i:2:p:531-549
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.2014.0960
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    References listed on IDEAS

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