The impact of organizational maturity on sustainable management capabilities

Purpose: This case study aims to determine if mature organisations are more capable of sustainable management. Specifically, it seeks to establish whether mature organisations manage their sustainable development more effectively due to the resources available to them. Methodology/approach: This qualitative study involved 16 individuals, in-depth, semi-structured interviews, purposefully sampled, with most interviewees being auditors or practitioners involved in sustainable management or inspection. Findings: Mature organisations are better prepared for sustainable management due to available resources, experienced employees, and superior management practices. Research limitations/implications: Although the collected data indicates that mature organisations have more resources to manage their sustainable development and growth, the authors recommend continuing with quantitative research to identify the different challenges in implementing sustainable goals based on an organisation's maturity level. Practical implications: This article provides insights from experienced respondents on how to approach the challenges in implementing sustainable goals. Social implications: The study aims to determine whether employees in mature organisations have a higher awareness of the social implications of their organisation's sustainable management. Originality/value: This study contributes to existing research by providing a unique perspective on the capability of organisational maturity in sustainable management and emphasises the distinction between SDG and ESG, which are often used interchangeably by business practitioners.