PhD defence C.E. (Carlos) Fúquene Retamoso

Adoption of environmental strategies analyzes the diverse perspectives firms take into account while making decision on environmental strategies. This research evaluates why and how large firms, adopt their environmental strategies, and identifies factors influencing environmental strategy adoption.  Literature on institutional theory, resource based view of the firms, and corporate social responsibility, served to develop a framework of the analysis. The framework integrates complementary system levels such as, the context the firm operates, the business model of the firm, and the manager involved in environmental strategy adoption.  Study of 7 large firms operating in Colombia, were selected for analyzing the underlying factors and mechanisms explaining environmental strategy adoption. Outcomes identify demands of export markets and requirements of green financing, as arguments for adoption of environmental strategies focused on eco-products. Companies emphasizing these market forces, are characterized by dynamic business models, and profit or societally-oriented managers. Companies adopting environmental strategies such as cleaner production to increase their competitiveness, are led by managers who pursue profits through more efficient processes and present dynamic business models based on technological innovation. Second-mover companies implemented cleaner production because their competition is doing this too and are led by managers that expect cleaner production to contribute to compliance with environmental laws. The outcomes provide insights in the complexity of environmental strategy adoption, by visualizing interactions among diverse factors connecting at multi-levels of the market, business model and the manager. Understanding the complexity of environmental strategy adoption help firms to identify barriers and facilitators applicable to their organizations.

The public defence will take place at the Senate Hall, 1st floor Erasmus Building, location campus Woudestein. The ceremony will begin exactly at 13.00 PM. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.