Emotion as an ethical compass in strategic sustainability decisions

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter investigates how emotions affect strategic sustainability decision-making; a process that has previously been considered mostly as rational. Drawing on interviews with 23 owner-managers of sustainability trailblazing small and medium-sized enterprises, the authors illuminate how emotions complement thinking and rational analysis in sustainability decision-making. This happens through three interrelated elements that link emotion with ethical considerations: sensitizing, sensing and selecting. Sensitizing is associated with an initial awareness of the ethical dilemma; sensing with establishing a global sense of a whole; and selecting with making the ultimate right/good choice. The authors propose a model in which emotion acts as an ethical compass for managers who are subject to multiple forces when making strategic sustainability decisions.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSustainable Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Subtitle of host publicationFrontiers in European Entrepreneurship Research
EditorsEddy Laveren, Robert Blackburn, Cyrine Ben-Hafaïedh, Cristina Díaz-García, Ángela González Moreno
PublisherEdward Elgar
Pages70-89
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-83910-969-0
ISBN (Print)978-1-83910-968-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Sept 2020
MoE publication typeA3 Book section, Chapters in research books

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Keywords

  • emotions
  • ethical compass
  • strategic sustainability decisions

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