Purpose Implementation: Conceptualization and Measurement

Alvaro Lleo, Miquel Bastons, Carlos Rey and Fernando Ruiz-Perez
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Alvaro Lleo: TECNUN-Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad de Navarra, Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
Miquel Bastons: Department of Business Administration, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, C/de la Immaculada 22, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
Carlos Rey: Department of Business Administration, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, C/de la Immaculada 22, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
Fernando Ruiz-Perez: TECNUN-Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad de Navarra, Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Understanding what drives effective purpose implementation is the key to making more sustainable organizations. Most studies on the subject of purpose focus on two of its dimensions: formulation (knowledge) and practical application (contribution). However, for it to be effectively implemented in the organization, purpose also involves motivating and exciting people. In this article, we propose a three-dimensional formative second-order construct of purpose implementation based on the knowledge, internalization and contribution of purpose. In this conceptualization of purpose, for effective purpose implementation to occur, its three dimensions must be implemented intensively and consistently in a balanced way. Two separate studies were combined to develop a validated scale for measuring the intensity of purpose implementation and for demonstrating that the more intensely and consistently purpose is implemented within a company, the greater its impact on organizational citizenship behaviors.

Keywords: corporate purpose; purpose implementation; scale validation; purpose-driven organization; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1921-:d:497423

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