Organisational Ambidexterity and Strategic Sustainability Committees: Driving Environmental Proactivity in Flexible Manufacturing Firms

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to evaluate how companies' strategic intentions, as well as their structures, impact their ability to practice production and consumption in a responsible manner. This includes evaluating the role of strategic sustainability committees and organisational ambidexterity as facilitators of environmental initiatives that lead to sustainability and business objectives. A partial least squares structural equation model was utilised to conduct an analysis of the data collected from a sample of 276 manufacturing organisations to determine what type of influences exist both directly and as mediators on the relationship between environmental proactivity and organisational ambidexterity and strategic sustainability committees. Findings indicate that large firms that have sustainability committees as well as an increased capacity for ambidextrous activity are more likely to participate in higher levels of environmental programs. The relationship between ambidexterity and sustainability committees substantially increases the breadth and depth of environmental practices. This study highlights how organisations that establish committees focused on sustainability and who create a culture of creating flexible, adaptive organisational structures have a significantly positive effect on their environmental performance.