An Assessment of the Influence of Descriptive Factors on the Direction of the Sustainability in the Healthcare Sector: An Abstract

Abstract

Walker and Laplume (2014) argue that sustainability is inherently considered with long time-frames. At a broad level, and according to the principles of sustainable development, companies need to actively pursue sustainability practices (Linnenluecke and Griffiths 2010; Sharma 2003). That is, sustainable development implies the need for economic, social and environmental sustainability in business models (Bansal 2005; Bocken et al. 2013). Høgevold et al. (2014) found different organizational directions in connection with organizational efforts and priorities of sustainability initiatives through time. This research provides the basis to understand the evolution through the time of organizational priorities and endeavours of sustainability initiatives. This leads to reveal differences and similarities between the healthcare sector entities. Theoretical propositions can be developed to guiding data collection and analysis in case studies as proposed by Yin (1994). This study has been conducted in one industry, overcoming contextual bias (Hartline and Jones 1996), targeting both public and private hospitals in Spain. The researchers carried out two series of seven in-depth interviews consisting of an initial round and then a follow-up round with directors of communication in private hospitals, and the executive responsible for CSR in public hospitals. The objective of the interviews was to acquire knowledge about the past and present efforts and priorities of sustainability initiatives. During the interviews, that lasted between 75 and 90 min, the research team was taking notes and making summary reports. The dual 15-dimensional framework of past and present efforts and priorities applied in this study has well served to accomplish the research objective. Another research implication is that the empirical findings reported have disclosed key determinants of organizational direction in private and public health care organizations. The principal key determinants of the organizational direction affecting efforts and priorities of sustainability initiatives are found to be: (i) change in organizational leadership, (ii) financial assets of the organization, (iii) religious orientation of the organization, (iv) organizational connection to the health care system, (v) internal values of the organization, and or (vi) top-staff orientation in the organization.