The Age of Institutional Pressures: Adaptive Role of Sustainability Management

The Age of Institutional Pressures: Adaptive Role of Sustainability Management

Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Journal: Management Decision
Submission Deadline: 30 November 2026

Overview

In the current era of heightened global awareness, organizations are facing increasing institutional pressures from governments, stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and society at large. These pressures are driving a significant shift in how businesses operate, compelling them to adopt sustainable and responsible practices.

The call for papers titled “The Age of Institutional Pressures: Adaptive Role of Sustainability Management” focuses on understanding how organizations respond to these challenges through effective sustainability strategies. It aims to bring together scholarly insights and practical perspectives on adapting to evolving institutional demands.

About the Theme

Institutional pressures are no longer external constraints—they are powerful drivers of organizational transformation. Companies today must align their operations with environmental standards, ethical governance, and social expectations.

Sustainability management plays a crucial role in helping organizations navigate these pressures. It enables businesses to:

• Build long-term resilience

• Enhance corporate reputation

• Meet regulatory compliance

• Drive innovation and competitive advantage

This special issue seeks to explore how sustainability practices evolve under institutional influence and how organizations strategically respond to these changes.

Key Focus Areas

The journal welcomes submissions in the following areas:

• Institutional theory and sustainability integration

• ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practices

• Corporate sustainability strategies

• Sustainable innovation and transformation

• Role of stakeholders in shaping sustainability decisions

• Policy, regulation, and compliance impacts

• Industry-specific sustainability case studies

• Global and cross-cultural perspectives

Who Should Submit

This call for papers is suitable for a wide range of contributors:

Interdisciplinary research is highly encouraged to provide diverse perspectives.

Why This Topic is Important

Sustainability is no longer optional—it is a necessity. Organizations are under constant scrutiny to demonstrate their commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

Key reasons why this topic is critical:

• Growing global focus on climate change and sustainability

• Increasing regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements

• Rising stakeholder expectations for ethical practices

• Need for sustainable innovation in competitive markets

Understanding how organizations adapt to institutional pressures can help shape better policies, improve business strategies, and create long-term value.

Submission Guidelines

Authors are invited to submit original and unpublished research papers aligned with the theme. Key points include:

• Manuscripts must follow the journal’s formatting guidelines

• Submissions should present clear research objectives and findings

• Papers will undergo a rigorous peer-review process

• Both theoretical and empirical studies are welcome

For complete submission instructions, authors should refer to the official Emerald Publishing website.

The “Age of Institutional Pressures” represents a transformative phase where sustainability management becomes central to organizational success. This call for papers provides an excellent platform to contribute meaningful research that addresses real-world challenges.

Researchers, practitioners, and scholars are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and contribute to advancing knowledge in sustainability and institutional theory.

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