Title: How to formulate and realise a corporate sustainability strategy

Authors: Maria Enroth

Addresses: STFI-Packforsk AB (Pulp, Paper, Print and Packaging Research), and Media Technology and Graphic Arts, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Box 5604, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: The main aim of this study is to develop, test and implement a working method for the graphic arts industry to formulate and realise a corporate sustainability strategy. This study is based on the case studies of two companies in the supply chain for printed products. The working method is inspired by the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology in ISO 14001 and the SWOT methodology. The working method established and successfully tested consists of six stages. The initial stages include an analysis of the current business climate in society and in the company, an identification of the significant sustainability aspects and a formulation of a shared vision. Examples of a sustainability strategy, long-term objectives, short-term targets, activities in working programmes and indicators are given. The results contribute to the process of bringing the thoughts of conceptual sustainability into practice in industrial applications.

Keywords: sustainability strategy; environmental strategy; strengths; weaknesses; opportunities; threats; SWOT; PDCA; ISO 14001; environmental management; supply chain management; SCM; printing industry; printed products; sustainable development; graphic arts industry; eco-efficiency; industrial ecology; corporate strategy.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2007.013860

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2007 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.103 - 121

Published online: 31 May 2007 *

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