A Controlling Path Towards a Sustainable Success

Sammanfattning

Because of an urge for companies to take responsibility for a green transition, an opportunity for businesses to gain a competitive advantage has arisen. Through the lens of the theoretical framework of Simon's levers of control (1995), this study will examine how a strongly sustainability-connected company uses management control systems to create a sustainable strategy. The interviews were conducted using a qualitative method to gain empirical data, where three key findings are found. Firstly, the study provides insights into how the four levers of control are used to create dynamic tensions and enable the firm to perform sustainable practices. Secondly, we show how the dominance of the belief systems functions as a foundation for the other levers, thus mitigating challenges that appear during times of uncertainties and lack of a concrete relation between financial and non-financial metrics. Lastly, using ESG as a critical and crucial variable enables the firm to exercise control through ESG, thus developing one strategy consistent with considerations to society and the business profitability.