Co-operative forest owner associations - harmonized values for sustainable development?

Abstract

Sustainable development is an important concept for competitive advantage for all types of organisations and is often implemented by a top-down strategic approach. Forest owner associations are based on the co-operative idea and are therefore expected to include key stakeholders such as members in strategic decisions. A challenge is to incorporate strategic sustainability management in an organisation. It refers to considering organisational objectives, maintaining relations with key stakeholders and keeping the organisational identity. This study aimed to explore how forest owner associations position themselves for sustainable development. A qualitative case study based on semi-structured interviews, (including five employees and eleven members) and sustainability reports suggests that sustainable development is integrated to different extents in forest owner associations in Sweden. A strategic approach is deemed necessary for a dynamic incorporation of sustainable development that is structured and leads to the improvement of responsible practice in the organisation. This study highlights the importance of considering sustainability strategies and co-operative identity in the process of implementing sustainability management in forest co-operatives. Further research could focus on corporate strategies for sustainable development with an extended longitudinal perspective.