This review examines the integration of institutional theory with social and environmental efforts in management (i.e., regarding sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and environmental, social, and governance objectives). By analyzing 720 studies published between 1997 and 2023, we develop a multi-level model that maps the antecedents of different actors (e.g., industries, organizations, individuals) to respond to or reshape institutional structures, the mechanisms they use, the moderators, and outcomes of their practices. Our findings emphasize the dynamic interplay between structure and agency across systemic, organizational, and individual levels, offering a comprehensive framework for future research. We highlight three key observations: first, while substantial research explores how institutions shape actors, more attention is needed to understand the reciprocal influences as actors are shaped by and reshape institutions over time. Second, individual-level dynamics remain significantly underexplored, with limited focus on resistance, demotivation, and failure—essential elements of the complexity of institutional processes. Finally, we identify a critical need to examine the unintended consequences of social and environmental efforts, revealing how these endeavors may undermine their goals, create new challenges, or generate unexpected solutions.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss human competences required for sustainability management in organisations.Design/methodology/approach: The research is based on a systematic review of the literature, through qualitative thematic analysis.Findings: The research covered 15 years of scientific publications and was summarised in 43 articles. It revealed that education, more than management, was the field of knowledge with more references in human competences, through exploratory methodological approaches. The competences found were plenty, but there is still some misunderstanding regarding their conceptual and theoretical bases.Research limitations/implications: This research provides evidence that the academic knowledge on the subject is still at its initial stage, and it exposes the debility of the management area in addressing the subject.Practical implications: The authors intend to indicate to managers some fundamentals for the adoption of human competences for sustainability aiming at a more sustainable performance in organisations.Social implications: The results may instigate studies concerning the fit of sustainability competences developed on higher education institutions and the job market. From it, curricula and pedagogical projects can be proposed and revised with better alignment to the organisational context.Originality/value: This paper presents a theoretical contribution by building bridges among different perspectives and fields of knowledge on the topic. The paper also offers a managerial contribution by stimulating practical discussions to develop sustainability in organisations through individuals.

Objective: To analyze the actions of Cooperatives in relation to the SDGs in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Theoretical framework: For a better understanding of the research theme in question, the themes Agenda 2030, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Cooperativism will be briefly substantiated. Method: The study consisted of a descriptive and quantitative research, with the application of an online questionnaire, via Google Forms, answered from November 2021 to February 2022 by 16 representatives of the Cooperatives. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results and conclusion: The results pointed to the maintenance of partnerships with other companies/cooperatives and changes in the production chain; increase in actions related to the health of employees, and reduction of funding for actions or projects and development of new products/services; low commitment of cooperatives in relation to the SDGs; male predominance in leadership positions, except in the health sector; importance of acting in the market applying cooperative principles and values, complying with legislation; making partnerships and listening to the demands of society. Research implications: contributes to the understanding of what cooperatives consider important, in addition to drawing the attention of cooperatives to actively participate in achieving the goals of the SDGs. Originality/value: contributes towards linking the SDGs to the Cooperatives, with their principles and values, highlighting their importance for the population and the region where they operate, identifying the actions carried out by them regarding the SDGs in times of the COVID-19 pandemic, after all, the SDGs must be worked on by governments, organizations and the population together. Keywords: Sustainable Development; Agenda 2030; SDGs; Cooperatives.

This article aimed at answering the following research question: How do institutional pressures influence the engagement of organisations with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic? To address it, we applied a survey with Brazilian organisations in late 2020. From group analysis and the comparison of means (test-t), we conclude that, in the pandemic scenario, organisations from various sectors and industries are affected mainly by coercive pressures but also by normative and, to a lesser extent, mimetic pressures. Furthermore, this study has shown that while opportunities are arising from normative and mimetic institutional pressures, it is in the coercive pressures that the guidance lies for the re-establishment of economic, social, and environmental development and prosperity in a post-pandemic scenario. Thus, despite some optimistic results, achieving the purpose outlined by the 2030 Agenda seems to be distant or at least needs an even more substantial effort if its responsibility rests solely with legislative and governmental forces.