Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Thesis - ECU Access Only
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
School
School of Business and Law
First Supervisor
Gabriel Eweje
Second Supervisor
Tim Bentley
Third Supervisor
Aymen Sajjad
Abstract
Growing recognition emphasises the human-ecosystem connection essential for well-being. Although both academia and industry have increasingly focused on sustainability, research on sustainability leadership remains scarce, particularly regarding how business leaders address social, environmental, and economic challenges. This study addresses this gap by exploring sustainability leadership at individual, organisational, and societal levels in the New Zealand (NZ) context, with a focus on the roles of business leaders in addressing these challenges. Guided by an interpretivist paradigm and qualitative methodology, 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted, including seven with key informants from New Zealand’s sustainability sector. By adopting the lenses of systems thinking theory and paradox theory, the study unveiled the interconnectedness between multilevel sustainability leadership. Findings indicate that sustainability leaders are driven by an intrinsic passion for social and environmental issues, which shapes their engagement with broader systems. The integration of systems thinking and paradoxical approaches equips leaders to navigate complex sustainability challenges effectively. Effective sustainability leadership practices hinge on a robust organisational structure and support. Evidence suggests that NZ’s sustainability leaders encounter barriers necessitating systemic reforms, cross-sector collaboration, greater government support, and enhanced sustainability education. Despite the growing sustainability awareness, many businesses remain reactive, motivated primarily by external pressures rather than intrinsic purpose. The findings highlight the pivotal role of sustainability leaders in advancing sustainable development by promoting education, endorsing sustainable practices, fostering connections among individuals and organisations, and encouraging stakeholder engagement. This study contributes theoretically by proposing a set of research propositions and a multilevel framework for sustainability leadership, emphasising interactions across individual, organisational, and societal levels. By integrating systems thinking and paradox theory, it offers a refined lens for understanding how leaders navigate complexity and manage competing demands. Empirically, the study provides in-depth insights into the lived experiences of sustainability leaders in NZ and how they interpret and respond to societal grand challenges. Practically, it offers actionable guidance for educators, practitioners, and policymakers to strengthen leadership capacity and support system-wide sustainability transitions across educational and policy domains.
DOI
10.25958/pcsc-2683
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 13th September 2027
Recommended Citation
Chew, P. (2025). Addressing societal grand challenges: The role of sustainability leadership in business. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/pcsc-2683