The drive for business sustainability is a growing concern. Family businesses – those where family and business objectives operate in tandem – are increasingly judged on how they impact the environment. Family firms are ubiquitous. They come in all shapes and sizes and are involved in all industries – from small purveyors of coffee or tea, to multinationals supplying the technology and services that make daily life easier. Since family businesses participate in all industry sectors, they have had – and continue to have – a key role in the diverse concerns of sustainability, from waste disposal to climate change. One of the key features of family firms is their heterogeneity. Firms will differ in how they balance family and business objectives to address sustainability concerns. What we have found is that family business leaders who integrate religious beliefs into their business operations have developed idiosyncratic ways to adopt sustainability practices. But what shapes the adoption of these sustainable behaviours in the first place? Some of the world’s largest corporations can be defined as family businesses, such as IKEA, Walmart and Samsung. Other family firms may be well – or less well – known for their long-standing integration of religious principles, or their heritage in sustainability. Our studies suggest that religion can be a source of competitive advantage for family businesses. Examples include helping develop closer family relationships, a shared vision in business, and ethical decision-making. Religious beliefs and values have been found to provide family members with a source of fulfilment and satisfaction. Religious values related to caring, generosity, honesty and integrity, and forgiveness may drive family businesses to behave ethically while creating a unique culture around sustainability within the organisation. Our recent studies focus specifically on sustainability and Christianity in family firms. Sustainability is impacted by the personal values of business owners and managers, and Christian principles influence sustainability efforts and dayto-day decision-making – through which products, markets, and business opportunities may be eventually pursued. The central premise of a Christian sustainability perspective is that leaders choose to serve God first and foremost. BIBLICAL INFLUENCE The basic principle that directly relates to sustainability for family business owners who adhere to and practice the Christian faith is the existence of God revealed by Scripture. The ultimate Christian guideline is thus the Bible. The Bible calls for man to care for the earth and God’s creations in nature. Its narrative on sustainability is often overlooked. In Genesis I, one argument can be found: “So God created humankind in His own image […] and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” However, ‘subdue’ and ‘dominion’ do not grant permission to deplete any part of God’s creation. Instead, subduing the earth involves harnessing the power of various resources through advances in science and technology. Dominion integrates ownership and stewardship for responsible actions that reject abuse and misuse of environmental resources. Therefore, Christians are called to sustain and preserve the natural environment to ensure renewal and sustainability. 8 |
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