Cristiana Parisi

Managerial mindsets and performance measurement systems of CSR‐related intangibles

Purpose – The purpose of this one‐company case study is to investigate the possible use of causal maps in the performance management and measurement of corporate social responsibility (CSR) related intangibles.Design/methodology/approach – In order to test the suitability of the chosen model, a combined research approach was selected. The combination of inductive and deductive approaches resulted in the most advantageous in order to test the research hypotheses. The pharmaceutical industry was targeted as a noteworthy case study for CSR investment. Novo Nordisk, a leading firm within the pharmaceutical industry, was chosen due to its outstanding corporate social performance (Dow Jones sustainability index STOXX and the Ethibel Sustainability Index).Findings – The use of causal maps at Novo Nordisk is expected to improve the selection of indicators for the companys performance measurement system, so that a financial evaluation of the returns of investments aimed at increasing the value of CRS related inta...

Operationalising Sustainability: How Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Translate Social and Environmental Issues into Practice

Drawing on a survey of Italian SMEs from the Tuscan area, this study aims to explore if and how SMEs integrate sustainability in their strategy and management systems, in particular in the performance measurement system. By combining theoretical and empirical findings, the study provides insights on how performance measurement systems could be improved to better operationalise sustainability strategies in SMEs. Moreover, the paper aspires to contribute to the existent sustainability literature by focusing on the processes of translating social and environmental issues into practice within SMEs.

Using Qualitative System Dynamics to Enhance the Performance Measurement of Sustainability

This paper aims to propose the adoption of qualitative system dynamics frameworks in order to improve the so called “second generation” performance measurement models with regards to the social and environmental dimensions of business performance. The said models address the issue of connecting financial and non financial indicators by using strategy or success maps. Some authors suggested the use of system dynamics approaches to improve them by taking into account the dynamic nature of performance and the transformation processes linking objectives and resources.

THE USE OF CAUSAL MAPPING IN THE DESIGN OF SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS: EVIDENCE FROM NOVO NORDISK

Purpose The purpose of this study is to illustrate the use of the ad hoc methodology of causal mapping to support the process of quantifying the financial returns related to sustainability investments. The present study uses two methods to build causal maps, that is aggregate and congregate mapping, in order to capture managerial cognition and derive a model that reflects companies’ competitive advantages. The resulting causal map is a prerequisite and serves as a building block for the design of the organisation’s performance management systems for sustainability. Design/methodology/approach This study relies on qualitative, deductive research undertaken at the leading international pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. This chapter presents the results of a