Based on two main concepts – sustainability and management – Sustainable Management is understood as the application of sustainable practices in different areas, namely business, the environment, society as a whole, as well as in daily life, and managing them in order to benefit both current and future generations. With the possibility of being applied to all aspects of our lives, sustainable management is critical as it is seen as the ability to successfully maintain the quality of life on our planet.

In a competitive and complex world where requirements from the different fields are ever increasing, organizations need to be responsible for their actions in the markets in which they operate. However, this responsibility cannot be seen as a one-time action but as a continuous process, under which organizations ought to use the different resources effectively, that will answer to the present and future requirements of the different stakeholders. Indeed, if from one side the organization influences the market, from the other side, the market – understood in its different perspectives, economic, social, environmental, political – also influences the organization. As a result of the interaction between the organization and the market, in order to be effective, the organization needs to think and act in a sustainable way. Occupying critical positions within the organizational structure, with a significant influence on their collaborators’ performances, the role developed by managers and engineers is highly relevant in the sustainable success of the organization.

Taking into account these concerns, and giving particular attention to the needs of managers and engineers as they look to develop sustainable management – able to answer to the present and future needs of the organization – this book covers the issues related to sustainable management in a context where organizations are, increasingly, facing deep challenges such as the need to introduce recycling and repurposing practices, waste reduction, lower cost and more timely production, add value, as well as develop sustainable behaviors. Nowadays organizational activities should be managed under strategic and sustainable policies.

Conscious of this reality, this book contributes to the exchange of experiences and perspectives about the state of the research related to sustainable management, with a particular focus in the role that needs to be developed by managers and engineers, as well as the future direction of this field of research. The content provides support to academics and researchers, as well as to those operating in the management field who need to deal with policies and strategies related to sustainable management issues.

Organized in nine chapters, this book covers the following: Chapter 1 focuses on “Choice Architecture: Nudging for Sustainable Behavior”; Chapter 2 covers “Embedding Corporate Sustainability in Human Resource Management Practice”; Chapter 3 centers on “Competency Cultivation of Mechanical Engineers in the Process of Social Sustainable Development”; Chapter 4 addresses the “Essentials of Sustainability: A Roadmap for Businesses”; Chapter 5 looks at “Styles of Leadership and Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility”; Chapter 6 focuses on “Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting: Background, Evolution and Sustainability Promoter”; Chapter 7 covers “Integrated Management Systems Under the Sign of Sustainable Development: Risks and Opportunities”; Chapter 8 analyzes “Mentoring… Really? And Why Not?”; and finally, Chapter 9 draws a distinction, “Stop Camouflaging it in Green: Do Not Confuse Corporate Social Responsibility with Sustainable Management”.

The mission of this book is to provide a channel of communication to disseminate knowledge of how to manage in an environment where concerns around sustainable management present a challenge, among academics/researchers, managers and engineers.

In other words, in order to be used by academics, researchers, human resources managers, managers, engineers, and other professionals in related matters, this book looks to:

• – share knowledge about sustainable management through debate and information exchange;
• – find out how organizations around the world are defining and implementing their sustainable management strategies;
• – keep at the forefront of innovative theories and the latest research activity related to sustainable management;
• – participate in an international, interdisciplinary exchange of information, ideas and opinions about the new challenges and changes in the sustainable management field.

The editors acknowledge their gratitude to ISTE-Wiley for this opportunity and for their professional support. Finally, we would like to thank all the chapter authors for their interest and availability to work on this project.

Carolina Feliciana MACHADO
Braga, Portugal
J. Paulo DAVIM
Aveiro, Portugal
September 2020