Sustainability Case Studies

This case study presents interviews with employees from several prominent UK companies—Sainsbury's, Land Securities Group, O2, Marks and Spencer, Scottish and Southern Energy, Centrica, and Deloitte UK. Each interview explores the interviewees' roles, their perspectives on sustainability within their organizations, and their experiences with sustainability-related decisions. The responses reveal varying levels of engagement with sustainability initiatives, ranging from proactive leadership in implementing green practices to a more passive approach focused on compliance. The case study highlights the importance of leadership in driving sustainability efforts, the challenges of communicating sustainability goals to employees, and the potential risks and rewards associated with prioritizing sustainability. The data provides valuable insights into how different companies approach sustainability and the impact of these approaches on their operations and reputations.

Sainsbury’s
1. Can you describe your position in the organisation, your main responsibilities and
how long you have had this position?
I am in the packaging division of the company at mid-level position. I am working with this
company for the past five years. For the initial three years I was overlooking the procurement
of strawberries from few suppliers, but now I shifted for some change.
2. How important is sustainability for you as a manager? And for your company?
Yes yes. As far as I can say, we are working towards sustainability very well. When I was in
the procurement division, I ensured procuring fruits that are organic and assist both sides
[supplier and buyer] on the price. And now as I am in the packaging division, I see all the
packaging in the manner that is healthy and safe for the customers. Focus has been on
constantly reducing the calories and producing eatables that have less alcohol contents. My
company, I can say, is pioneer in sustainability and I have faith over this company. It is
helping people in many areas, whether it is through supporting the community or events.
3. Were you ever involved in a situation that required a decision concerning
sustainability related issues?
Well, personally, I never involved myself directly into such issues.
3.1 Any issue for that matter you remember in the past five years that happened? Can
you describe it and your role in it?
Yes, I remember one in which my senior was involved as the main decision maker and I was
just a team player. Some of our employees were not ready to cooperate with the local
suppliers. Cooperation in the sense that it was required that they educate them on the proper
methods to package and supply the raw fruits. I was also in the team and I must say I was
cooperative and stayed away from the group politics at that time.
4. Was that a situation in which you think your leadership skills and values were
important?
Not much, but my senior’s leadership skill came handy. He analysed the situation very
closely and took timely action before the things could go out of hand.
5. How did your senior communicate with employees? What did he do exactly?
He conducted a meeting with all of us three times in two days and brought into the
understanding why we must cooperate properly with the local suppliers and the consequences
that will be faced by anyone if he denies support.
6. What was at stake in that time?
The company could have lost cheap raw food supply that was an easy to get from the locals.
7. Are there any other things you would like to add related to the conversation we have
had?
No, thank you.

Land Securities Group
1. Can you describe your position in the organisation, your main responsibilities and
how long you have had this position?
I am working as material procurement manager in the company in the United Kingdom. My
main responsibilities are to handle the materials that come from the vendors during
construction. I only handle bricks or blocks. This is my second year here.
2. How important is sustainability for you as a manager? And for your company?
It is very important. Our company always look forward to sustainable business which is good
for all.
3. Were you ever involved in a situation that required a decision concerning
sustainability related issues? Can you describe it and your role in it?
Sure there is. It is interesting to tell you I acted for this despite being new to this company.
My few employees were working with the vendors who were not green business certified. It
was great that they were giving material at lower price than other, but…!
4. Was that a situation in which you think your leadership skills and values were
important?
Of course! I took the stand to remove those vendors and instead sign with those who are
green business certified even if they are charging higher cost. I took the stand to
communicate with the higher management and get them to know about the situation. They
were supportive. Now under my division, all are green certified.
5. How did you communicate with employees? What did you do exactly?
They had fewer roles to play. They were doing as were told. I blame previous person who
was handling this position and was constantly overlooking this situation.
6. What was at stake in that time?
Reputation for sure. Image of the company was at stake… how we can boast of sustainability
if our vendors are not green?
7. Are there any other things you would like to add related to the conversation we have
had?
Sustainability is the key and I have learned it faster. All employees in the company need to
know what company is doing for sustainability. I must say they should be trained in this. One
day classroom session I guess can help.

O2
1. Can you describe your position in the organisation, your main responsibilities and
how long you have had this position?
I am in to the sales. I handle the area sales for Cotswold valley covering Castle Combe,
Painswick, and Bibury. I have eleven employees working below me. I joined as field sales
and now I am as area sales manager. Ten years. Yes, ten years I am here.
2. How important is sustainability for you as a manager? And for your company?
Well, I can say my company is doing good in this area. It is important for everyone connected
with this company.
3. Were you ever involved in a situation that required a decision concerning
sustainability related issues? Can you describe it and your role in it?
Not really. My company sells many products that are sustainable. Like low energy
consuming charger, phones of eco rating, O2 Refresh, universal charger and others. I always
try to push my employees to pitch these products to the retailers as good and sustainable
products. Reluctance of some employees is seen as obvious issue. I regularly handle that. The
concern comes when some employees face challenge in understanding how our pitching the
product as sustainable is going to attract the customer.
4. Was that a situation in which you think your leadership skills and values were
important?
This is a regular issue when new employees come or when the existing employees face issue
in increasing the sales. I am required to mentor them. My leadership skill is necessary in such
situation.
5. How did you communicate with employees? What did you do exactly?
The personal one on one method is the most preferred style of communication for me to
handle the situation. It is easy to handle and balance the talk. Public discussion has made the
matter worse sometimes.
6. What was at stake in that time?
Nothing major at stake but yes, it can become challenge if the employees at the lower level
fail to represent the sustainability of the company. If they will not, then who will?
7. Are there any other things you would like to add related to the conversation we have
had?
No.

Marks and Spencer
1. Can you describe your position in the organisation, your main responsibilities and
how long you have had this position?
Hi. I am in the material procurement division. I connect with the suppliers and build
relationship. I have been in this company for the past five years. When they need to build
new suppliers group, I come handy.
2. How important is sustainability for you as a manager? And for your company?
Sustainability, it is very important. I don’t care much about it, but one thing I care is that the
suppliers must be doing whatever they are doing in the manner that is not against the
environment. The chemicals they use in the clothes, I want to see those favourable for the
environment. My company does take this seriously. You can see from the report from our
website.
3. Were you ever involved in a situation that required a decision concerning
sustainability related issues? Can you describe it and your role in it?
No.
4. Was that a situation in which you think your leadership skills and values were
important?
I work alone, with one or two assistants when needed. i rarely found opportunity to showcase
my leadership skills on my subordinate like others.
5. How did you communicate with employees? What did you do exactly?
[not required]
6. What was at stake in that time? [when building relationship with the suppliers]
As I said I look for suppliers who are developing supplies that are not hazardous to
environment. This is the first criteria that I select to find the company that can work for us. I
try to save my companies brand for longer term.
7. Are there any other things you would like to add related to the conversation we have
had?
Not right now.

Scottish and Southern Energy
1. Can you describe your position in the organisation, your main responsibilities and
how long you have had this position?
I look after the meter installation in Exeter and few surrounding areas. There are 23
employees working under me who are engaged in the meter installation.
2. How important is sustainability for you as a manager? And for your company?
It is important for me and also for my company. You know we are in the energy business and
sustainability is what we care lot.
3. Were you ever involved in a situation that required a decision concerning
sustainability related issues? Can you describe it and your role in it?
Effective energy consumption. Yes, this is what we care about a lot. When I started working
in this division, I set number of employees to look after the houses whose energy
consumption is not appropriate. It was to identify and help those houses build better energy
consumption patter to save energy. This was difficult in the beginning. Employees were not
adapted to these things.
4. Was that a situation in which you think your leadership skills and values were
important?
Sure it did. I led my team to learn the importance of this and brought in some incentive
structure to motivate them to find such houses.
5. How did you communicate with employees? What did you do exactly?
I called them once and conducted a seminar on energy methods and how to identify such
houses.
6. What was at stake in that time?
Not personal to the company, but energy consumption is an important concern for the world.
It is important to be saved.
7. Are there any other things you would like to add related to the conversation we have
had?
No, thank you.

Centrica
1. Can you describe your position in the organisation, your main responsibilities and
how long you have had this position?
I am in the customer service of the company. I handle more than twenty customer service
employees at once. I am working in this company for the past fifteen years. Too long!
2. How important is sustainability for you as a manager? And for your company?
Through my customer service department, we ensure that the customers are using the energy,
particular gas and electricity, appropriately. I can say sustainability is important for my
company. I as employee do what company says and the company says to help the customers
in saving energy and so I do.
3. Were you ever involved in a situation that required a decision concerning
sustainability related issues? Can you describe it and your role in it?
If my field is concerned, not directly. But yes we assist our customers in this matter. My
employees are friendly and they do what they are supposed to be doing.
4. Was that a situation in which you think your leadership skills and values were
important?
I think I guide my subordinates well as they are doing better so I think I am acting as a good
leader.
5. How did you communicate with employees? What did you do exactly?
I generally communicate directly on their individual desks. Mostly I prefer emails for private
communication.
6. What was at stake in that time?
Nothing I guess.
7. Are there any other things you would like to add related to the conversation we have
had?
No.

Deloitte UK
1. Can you describe your position in the organisation, your main responsibilities and
how long you have had this position?
I am in the auditing. I with my subordinates conduct auditing of the companies on various
aspects. It has been six years for me in this organization.
2. How important is sustainability for you as a manager? And for your company?
Very important. Actually my major part of auditing is related to assessing how companies are
doing on the sustainability part. My company takes this seriously also.
3. Were you ever involved in a situation that required a decision concerning
sustainability related issues? Can you describe it and your role in it?
Yes. I was auditing a company, I will not share the name, that was into the activities that was
against environment. Let me tell you, the auditing was sponsored from the shareholders of
that company to know whether the investment in that company will be fruitful.
4. Was that a situation in which you think your leadership skills and values were
important?
I was leading the auditing. I shared the truth with the management and the management took
some time to reflect on that prior to releasing the information to shareholders. I am happy the
company is still active and is on the path of sustainability.
5. How did you communicate with employees? What did you do exactly?
My team has always been instructed to look for sustainability part of the company
appropriately as it is important for the long term benefit for the society and everyone
involved.
6. What was at stake in that time?
Investors money and image.
7. Are there any other things you would like to add related to the conversation we have
had?
NO.