Organizations, Learning, and Sustainability: A Cross-Disciplinary Review and Research Agenda

Abstract This paper explores the role of learning in organizational responses to sustainability. Finding meaningful solutions sustainability challenges requires companies and other actors broaden their thinking, go beyond boundaries engage more with stakeholders. However, broadening perspective collaborating diverse stakeholders involves inherent political process-related tensions. Learning has been identified as a key organizing process for overcoming that arise through collaborative action In order understand sustainability, we conduct cross-disciplinary systematic review literature on incorporate perspectives from disciplines including business, management, environmental science, sociology, policy, urban planning, development. The how different conceptualize operationalize identifies common themes challenges. Our findings highlight ways power relations influence decision-making processes, entrenched traditional value structures ‘reflexive complicity’ limit practitioners researchers alike finding solutions. We conclude shifting motivate business management research way prioritizes outcomes over firm performance, could bring us step closer Similarly, breaking patterns by assist toward radical long-term practice.