Understanding the Responsibilities and Barriers for Sustainability Managers in Corporate Sustainable Transformation in the German Finance Industry

As climate change impacts escalate and regulatory frameworks evolve, the finance industry is increasingly important in driving sustainable transformation. This thesis investigates the role of sustainability managers in steering corporate sustainable transformation in the German finance industry, focusing on their understanding, responsibilities, and barriers to success. Addressing a gap in the literature, this research delves into the responsibilities of sustainability managers in the German financial sector, areas critical for advancing effective sustainability strategies tailored to this industry’s challenges.
Employing a qualitative grounded Delphi study within a social-constructivist paradigm, this research engaged 28 sustainability managers to share their perspectives on their understanding, responsibilities and perceived transformation barriers. Qualitative data was collected through two rounds of online questionnaires and analysed using grounded theory coding (open, axial, and selective), achieving consensus statements with 75% – 100% agreement among participants.
The findings demonstrate that sustainability managers perceive corporate sustainability transformation as a holistic reconfiguration of business models, demanding the integration of sustainability goals into organisational processes and decision-making. This understanding differs from narrower concepts of corporate sustainable change and development. The study also reveals a significant discrepancy between these sustainability managers’ official and perceived responsibilities, underscoring their under-recognised yet crucial role as ‘change agents’ for sustainability and ‘knowledge brokers’. Furthermore, the research highlights the critical influence of top management’s commitment and change-conducive corporate culture as essential for overcoming transformation barriers.
This work enriches the academic discourse on sustainability in the German financial industry and offers practical recommendations for enhancing corporate sustainability transformation strategies. By delineating the complex roles and systemic challenges that sustainability managers face, this thesis facilitates the adoption of effective sustainability practices, especially in the German finance industry.