Abstract:
This paper presents the results of an effort to apply management theory related to sustainability in a 'real world' consulting project undertaken in a Western Canadian natural gas utility. We found that the existingsustainable value portfolio tools proved unsuccessful in this application. Therefore, a new framework was developed and applied to provide the client with the opportunity to enhance their strategic sustainability. Our framework was designed to be suitable for application to a broad range of organisations and sectors. This paper traces our efforts to develop a usable framework, to apply it in a real business setting and outlines the resulting sustainability portfolio assessment framework. Our model for a sustainability portfolio assessment suggests that a sustainable business balances economic growth and viability with a commitment to strategically and practically address the need to prevent waste; integrate external perspectives into business decision-making; re-envision current competencies to act on emerging opportunities; and to anticipate unmet needs and opportunities yet unknown. We provide consultants and prospective clients with a useable sustainability portfolio assessment framework that can be applied in real business consulting settings and with guidance on how our framework can be successfully implemented to sustain business value. We stress the importance of understanding the competencies of the organisation related to sustainability, the potential constraints on action and the readiness of the organisation, management and employees to embrace these competencies and take action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]