How do leaders embed sustainability into organizational culture in virtual contexts?

Robert Edric Josef R. Lizares will defend his PhD Disstertation entitled "How do leaders embed sustainability into organizational culture in virtual contexts?"
March 17, 5:00-7:00PM
His adviser is Dr. Ma. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng

His panelists are:

Dr. Alvin Patrick M. Valentin
Dr. Mendiola Teng-Calleja
Dr. Edna P. Franco
Dr. Marshaley Baquiano

Proposal defense: September 9, 2022, 3:00-4:30 PM

Abstract:

Understanding the intersection of sustainability and virtual leadership is of utmost relevance given the importance of sustainability as a global concern and the pervasiveness of virtual collaboration in organizational practice. 
As a systemic and multifaceted worldwide issue, sustainability requires concerted cooperation across multiple sectors in society, including businesses, as well as interdisciplinary teams within organizations. In this regard, the need to enjoin employees across all levels in firms is particularly salient, and organizational culture must be fostered in order to encourage more organizational members and stakeholders to contribute to firms’ sustainability goals and initiatives. 
The process of embedding sustainability within organizational cultures, however, becomes particularly complicated as virtual work arrangements are adopted increasingly in organizations, and will continue to be viable models for work and collaboration even after the lockdown orders from the COVID-19 Pandemic have eased. Challenges associated with the implementation and use of virtual tools, nuances in communication, difficulties in trust formation, weaker organizational identification and increased isolation, confusion and uncertainty proliferate within virtual or hybrid work contexts. These issues add layers of complexity and pose challenges to the process of incorporating sustainability into organizational cultures within online spaces. 
Given these challenges, this study seeks to answer the research question, how do leaders embed sustainability into organizational culture in virtual contexts? Using a multiple case study method, the author seeks to investigate this process among leaders in different business organizations. Through thematic analysis, insights related to how leaders embark on this critical task will be presented as themes.