Sustainability Indicators in Practice: Insights from Expert Companies in Finland

Abstract

This multiple case study examines how knowledge intensive expert organizations measure sustainability in Finland.  Through interviews eleven leaders of expert companies, the research identifies the need for tailored measurement tools. The findings reveal a variety of available metrics and the necessity for specific indicators for expert companies. Defining sustainability presents two significant challenges, firstly the lack of a unified definition and secondly the diversity of synonyms used in the literature. Furthermore, sustainable development is a continuous and guided societal change that occurs at global, regional, and local levels. Its goal is to ensure good living conditions for current and future generations. This study found that current metrics are perceived as fragmented and are also not used purposefully. New metrics could help companies assess sustainability more comprehensively. This research also highlights a need for metrics that are easy to use and reliable. The results of this study also show a need for new, unified sustainability metrics, as current metrics are fragmented and often lack purposeful use. By developing clear and reliable metrics, companies can assess sustainability comprehensively and consistently. Sustainable leadership can be defined as an ethical practice aimed at helping groups of people achieve significant environmental or societal goals. Sustainable leadership combines strategic and operational as well as financial information and integrates it with non-financial information, to make sustainable decisions.  Successful sustainable leadership is more than just financial profit; it encompasses mental, physical, and social dimensions. Organizations actively address societal challenges, invest in their communities, and consider employees in all decision-making. The leaders interviewed in this study recommend involving the entire staff in promoting sustainability and ensuring management commitment.