Andreas Rasche • Get your values right

In the most recent episode of Greiner Talks, Alexander Berth interviews Andreas Rasche, Professor at Copenhagen Business School, about corporate sustainability and business ethics. A talk about the importance of values within organizations and a pragmatic approach towards sustainability.

Rasche’s research focuses on corporate sustainability, strategic management and policy making in the light of global challenges. For more than 20 years, he has been analyzing sustainability regulations, voluntary sustainability initiatives, and the paradoxes inherent in sustainability. When asked what constitutes a responsible and sustainable business, Rasche highlights authenticity and the importance of living organizational values.

“A responsible business is a business that is authentic and that takes its value seriously. Responsibility and sustainability have a lot to do with our value space and that we really need to live these values.”

Addressing the feasibility of achieving sustainability, Rasche advocates for a pragmatic approach, focusing on so-called "weak" sustainability, which accepts some unavoidable emissions and waste while striving for significant overall improvements. He also stresses that good governance is crucial for addressing environmental and social issues effectively: "Without good governance, we cannot really tackle these environmental and social problems."

In conclusion, Rasche advises companies to prioritize their values, which will guide them in implementing sustainability and navigating challenges. “At the very end of the day, it's a values question. It's about what we as an organization believe in and what we believe the purpose of this organization is - and whether we really stand up for this purpose and are willing to deliver.”

***

Greiner Talks is our podcast about transformation. Alexander Berth speaks to experts from around the world to learn about their perspectives on the future of our economy and society.