Title: An interactive model of driving forces between TBL elements - empirical findings

Authors: Nils M. Høgevold; Göran Svensson; Beverly Wagner

Addresses: Kristiania University College, PB 1195 Sentrum: Kirkegaten 24-26, Oslo, Norway ' Kristiania University College, PB 1195 Sentrum: Kirkegaten 24-26, Oslo, Norway ' Department of Marketing, Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde, 173 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RQ, UK

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore the interaction between elements and driving forces of the triple bottom line (TBL). A qualitative study was undertaken by Norwegian companies, all to implement significant business sustainability programmes within their organisations. These extended beyond compliance and findings suggest that companies possessed only vague insights on how to manage the elements of TBL driving forces. An interactive model based upon TBL consisting of mercenary, altruistic and regulatory driving forces is suggested to provide a foundation for further exploration of the interaction between elements and driving forces of TBL. For businesses to be sustainable, it is essential that efforts are dedicated to understand how the TBL elements interact optimally.

Keywords: triple bottom line; TBL; business sustainability; economic; social; environmental; element; interface; interaction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2017.087233

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2017 Vol.13 No.3, pp.394 - 414

Received: 27 Jan 2016
Accepted: 15 Jul 2016
Published online: 11 Oct 2017 *

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