Change agent sensemaking for sustainability in a multinational subsidiary
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to improve the understanding of implementation processes that achieve corporate sustainability by providing explanatory knowledge about the role of change agents from a sensemaking perspective. The paper also aims to focus on the sustainability efforts of change agents in a multinational carpet tile manufacturer.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical perspective of the paper is based on the concepts of sensemaking and emergent change. The paper examines sustainability sensemaking in the Dutch subsidiary of the US‐based carpet tile manufacturer Interface over a period of ten years (2000‐2010).
Findings
The findings show that embedding sustainability by change agents is typically an emergent change process that consists of small steps and is not predictable.
Research limitations/implications
This paper focuses on the emergent, unpredictable aspects of change. More research is needed on processes of adapting the general concept of sustainability to local organisational contexts.
Originality/value
The paper examines sustainability sensemaking by change agents in one organisation.
Keywords
Citation
van der Heijden, A., Cramer, J.M. and Driessen, P.P.J. (2012), "Change agent sensemaking for sustainability in a multinational subsidiary", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 535-559. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534811211239218
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited