Water sustainability in the brewing industry: a stakeholder based approach

Abstract

This research explores the experiences of companies operating in the brewing industry, a water intensive industry, and in particular the responses to stakeholder pressures which drive actions towards social and environmental responsibility. This paper examines the stakeholder pressures facing brewing companies at a multi-national level, which are compared and contrasted to those felt at a regional and local level across the United Kingdom. The findings reveal that typical pro-environmentally responsible behaviour relating to water is focused around water consumption and the cleaning and sterilisation of equipment but there are increasing regulatory pressures as well as emerging economic and environmental opportunities which are driving a more holistic approach to stakeholder engagement. The findings from a study of 10 brewing firms in the UK and 5 multi-national firms demonstrates the stakeholder pressures and organisational incentives which shape sustainability activity and the development of resource capacities at an industrial level, as well as the drivers for firm-level response to water threats.