Creating a Culture of Sustainability: Organizational Strategies and Employee Training

Abstract

Practicing sustainability is an evolving process of continual improvement. Sustainability adds value to an organization by providing a framework for making sound decisions that will make organizations and the communities they serve stronger. Creating an environment conducive to fruitful sustainability initiatives and programs requires embedding sustainability into an institution’s organizational chart, governance structures, and daily workplace culture. This chapter examines ways for higher education institutions to embed sustainability into their organizational culture by defining various roles employees take on to advance sustainability. By understanding these roles, the chapter examines how they can populate a Dual Operating System that uses the strengths of both command-control and network-like organizational models. It specifically explores Florida Gulf Coast University’s efforts to bridge connections across organizational units and encourage new employees to consider their potential contributions to the university’s sustainability mission.