Achieving the right balance of art and science is the
key to successful sustainability, as in the case of other
organizational transformation projects, a point which
is supported by the research evidence. International
employer surveys (Haanaes, Balagopal and Arthur;
Kruschwitz and Haanaes) have revealed that the
organizations generating a competitive advantage
from their sustainability initiatives were most
likely to be exhibiting both an analytical approach
to sustainability, including the development of a
formal business case as well as the use of scenario
planning and strategic analysis, as well as a shift in
organizational culture with an increased emphasis on intangible and qualitative business goals such as
enhanced innovation and creativity.
Indeed, strategic sustainability requires
a “transformative” approach involving not just
extensive changes to business processes and strategy
but a significant change in mindset and corporate
culture, particularly involving a shift in focus
from traditional financial or quantitative indicators
of business success to social and environmental
indicators as well as the more intangible, qualitative
factors such as improved awareness of and attitudes
towards the company brand. This involves the
application of both “art” and “science” perspectives,
or what might also be referred to as “right brain” and
“left brain” thinking, respectively.