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Dynamic Capabilities for Sustainability: Revealing the Systemic Key Factors

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Abstract

By applying systems thinking theory to capabilities literature, this paper examines the factors that support the development of dynamic capabilities towards sustainable management. For such, we conducted an in-depth single case study using Soft System Methodology (SSM) in an energy organisation from an emerging economy. Our analysis of the last twenty years of operation revealed that the organisation has developed new ways to change and adapt in a disturbing environment by integrating sustainability into three factors: (1) integrative strategy (green products, biodiversity, organic processes and self-sufficient electricity), (2) sustainable culture (sustainable mindset, environmental awareness, learning orientation and decision-making processes) and (3) organisational routines for innovation (new green processes and products, partnerships/alliances and knowledge management). Our results extend the literature by raising a conceptual framework of the fundamental dimensions of dynamic capabilities for sustainability. This is the first study that connects systems thinking and dynamic capabilities theories applied to sustainable management.

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Notes

  1. EMBRAPA: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, connected to the Ministry of Agriculture.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful for the insightful comments provided by the editor, Robert L. Flood, and by the anonymous reviewers. The paper also benefited from discussions with participants of the 31th European Group for Organizational Studies Colloquium (EGOS), 26th Production and Operations Management Society Annual Conference (POMS) and the 59th International Society for the Systems Sciences Annual Meeting (ISSS). The Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) financially supported this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Business and Management, Federal University of Uberlândia (FAGEN/UFU), Avenida João Naves de Ávila 2121, Uberlândia, MG, 38400-902, Brazil

    Luciana Oranges Cezarino

  2. Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo (IFSP), Rodovia Washington Luís Km 235, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil

    Marlon Fernandes Rodrigues Alves

  3. School of Economics, Business Administration and Accounting at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FEA-RP/USP), Avenida dos Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-905, Brazil

    Adriana Cristina Ferreira Caldana & Lara Bartocci Liboni

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  1. Luciana Oranges Cezarino
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  2. Marlon Fernandes Rodrigues Alves
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  3. Adriana Cristina Ferreira Caldana
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  4. Lara Bartocci Liboni
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Correspondence to Lara Bartocci Liboni.

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Cezarino , L.O., Alves, M.F.R., Caldana, A.C.F. et al. Dynamic Capabilities for Sustainability: Revealing the Systemic Key Factors. Syst Pract Action Res 32, 93–112 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-018-9453-z

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