Issue opacity and sustainability standard effectiveness

Many voluntary sustainability standards govern opaque environmental and social issues, which are difficult to understand address. Extant studies show mixed evidence around the effectiveness of such standards. We develop a theoretical framework that relates different degrees types opacity standard effectiveness. Systemic results from issues embedded in complex, diverse, dynamic settings, whereas behavioral stems human challenges interpreting acting upon focal issues. Rigid standards, oriented toward compliance, effective for addressing transparent or enshrouded by opacity, but counterproductive with systemic opacity. The trade-off between rigidity flexibility leads optimal when governing systemically behaviorally moderately rigid. Our ideas illustrated two leading fisheries real estate sectors, effectively address limited success facing conclude unpacking issue is instrumental designing implementing more