Organisation sustainability and innovation : a management’s perspective

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this research is to analyse whether expectations and attitudes are key variables which affect the behaviour of managerial individuals regarding sustainable and innovative strategies. The research model examines whether expectations alone or expectations through attitudes produce an effect towards behaviour. Moreover, this study investigates what is the current perspective, of managerial individuals within the service sector industry, about this field. Methodology: This study adopts a quantitative approach by collecting data using the questionnaire method building up the statistical database using the Likert scale model. Findings: Considering the theoretical findings, the research model answered the research question stating a statistically significant positive effect between expectations towards attitudes and attitudes towards behaviour. On the other hand, expectations produced no direct effect towards behaviour. From the practical findings viewpoint, managerial individuals have high beliefs about innovation and economical sustainability but give low importance towards social and environmental sustainability. Limitations: Due to the fact that managerial individuals needed to express their own personal perspective, biasness of responses may have occurred during this process. Therefore, instead of their own personal perspective, respondents may have expressed their organisation’s beliefs. Moreover, the research is limited to the service sector industry in Malta and there are no comparisons with other sectors such as the manufacturing sector. Research Originality: This study uniquely analysed the expectations, attitudes, and behaviour dependent variables collectively in relation to sustainable innovative strategy perceptions of managerial personnel. Furthermore, in the Maltese research field there is a lack of exploration and analyses of this topic in a holistic approach by taking in consideration both innovation and all the three pillars of sustainability.