This inter-disciplinary research program focuses on developing globally responsible sustainable business knowledge - to promote social, financial and environmental approaches that will benefit future generations.

It links with other Griffith research groups with a focus on environmental policy and practices, and ethical and legal governance issues; as well as other business-based research groups in North America, Europe and Asia.

Research streams

1: Developing comparative knowledge bases in corporate responsibility

Our first research stream will develop a database to compare and analyse different corporate responsibility measurement tools (such as the Global Reporting Initiative, the Corporate Responsibility Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index) - in order to provide industry with better processes to report and audit corporate responsibility performance levels.

2: Multi-firm (supply chain) collective sustainable value propositions

This stream will examine how multiple stakeholders in the supply chain can each gain value (or increased return on investment), by jointly engaging in sustainable practices. It will incorporate research into indigenous partnerships and franchising relationships, a stocktake of existing collaborative models, identification of key success factors, and will apply and test new models in national and international supply chains.

3: Sustainable long term / next generation impacts

With a strong focus on the future, this stream will analyse: how legislation and professional body requirements shape organisations' focus on next generation impacts; why corporate responsibility needs to be embedded in corporate governance, risk management and monitoring practices; problems associated with conflicting attitudes towards long term sustainability and social responsibility; and specific tools and approaches managers can use to increase acceptance of long term sustainable gains.

4: Consumer demand for sustainable products and services

Our fourth research stream will examine how to improve customer acceptance of and demand for environmentally and socially responsible, sustainable products and services; and will determine the role corporate responsibility plays in enhancing reputation and brand value.

5: Sustainable business thought leadership

This project will track and test how various leaders address emerging issues in sustainable business to find 'best practice' examples, using findings from the above research streams and the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative.

Members / Affiliated Research Centres and Departments

Centres

• Centre for Governance and Public Policy
• Centre for Organisational Governance and Performance Management
• Centre for Tourism, Sport and Service Innovation
• Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing
• Griffith Asia Institute

Departments

• Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics
• Department of Management
• Department of Marketing
• Department of Tourism, Leisure, Hotel and Sport Management

Further information

For more information about the Sustainable Business Research Program at Griffith University, contact Professor Jenny Stewart.

• Contact details for Professor Jenny Stewart