Sustainability assessment criteria for projects and technologies : judgements of industry managers

Abstract

Industries are increasingly under pressure to incorporate the objectives of sustainable development into company policies and decision-making processes. This study introduces a framework of sustainability assessment criteria that are relevant to projects and developments in industry. The study attempts to establish whether the professional exposure and experience of decision-makers at different management levels influence the individual’s perceptions of the relative importance of the three main dimensions of the framework. The study finds that exposure and experience do not influence the weighting values. The study further highlights the importance of distinguishing between internal decision-making within industry and external decision-making where assessments are used for public reporting. That is, the context within which the three dimensions are weighted greatly determines individual and societal perceptions.