Title: Environmental responsibility and changing power dynamics

Authors: Bryan T. Stinchfield

Addresses: Department of Management, College of Business, Rehn Hall, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-4627, USA

Abstract: As an increasing number of firms seek to become more environmentally responsible, they discover that their relationships with key stakeholders are subject to fundamental change. This changing power dynamic results in shifting resource dependencies, casting a shadow of realpolitik on an area typically characterised by cooperation, |green-ness|, and social responsibility. Using the resource dependence theory as a foundation, this article seeks to develop a framework explaining the changing power networks among firms attempting to increase their level of environmental responsibility. Emphasis is placed on the focal firm|s suppliers and regulators, since they play key roles for the changing firm.

Keywords: resource dependency; environmental responsibility; sustainability; environmental regulations; stakeholders; organisation behaviour; perception of influence; power dynamics; sustainable strategic management; sustainable development; resource dependence theory; power networks; suppliers; regulators.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSM.2009.022830

International Journal of Sustainable Strategic Management, 2009 Vol.1 No.2, pp.140 - 154

Published online: 27 Jan 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article