Title: Sustainability at the firm-level: review and case driven exploration

Authors: Fitsum Getachew Bayu; Eshetie Berhan; Frank Ebinger

Addresses: School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University, 380 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ' School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University, 380 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ' Department of Sustainability-Oriented Innovations and Transformation Management, Nuremberg Campus of Technology (NCT), Technische Hochschule Nuremberg, 90429 Nuremberg, Germany

Abstract: The challenge to integrate, measure, and report sustainability at the firm level has been frequently discussed in theory and practice. However, there is still a limitation on narrowing the sustainability concept at the firm level and addressing the challenges in a holistic approach encompassing the economic, social, and environment triple bottom lines and firm strategic management. This study explores firm-level sustainability through a systematic literature review followed by a case study exploration. Based on the review findings, key measuring dimensions were identified to frame sustainability at the firm level. The dimensions were further explored, taking a country case of large-scale industrial firm zones in Ethiopia. Critical economic, social, environmental sustainability and strategic management concerns are systematically identified and discussed. Finally, a conceptual sustainability assessment framework was proposed to support firm-level sustainability measuring and reporting, which could be considered a steppingstone for the sustainable development of Ethiopia's industrial park.

Keywords: economic sustainability; social sustainability; environmental sustainability; strategic management; Ethiopian industrial park firms.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2022.124860

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2022 Vol.14 No.2, pp.104 - 137

Received: 10 Apr 2021
Received in revised form: 15 Apr 2022
Accepted: 20 Apr 2022
Published online: 11 Aug 2022 *

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