[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/07\/19\/social-sustainability-definition-examples\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/07\/19\/social-sustainability-definition-examples\/","headline":"Purpose and the C-suite: Social sustainability is mission-critical","name":"Purpose and the C-suite: Social sustainability is mission-critical","description":"Social sustainability takes center stage in the C-suite, with data and dollars indicating greater success for brands that focus on the greater good.","datePublished":"2022-07-19","dateModified":"2023-01-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/geert-leeman\/#Person","name":"Geert Leeman","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/geert-leeman\/","identifier":636,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c5cfa20610e2093b065e87f3796777cf9b64f4b5181391f5eaeb624b9525f2b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c5cfa20610e2093b065e87f3796777cf9b64f4b5181391f5eaeb624b9525f2b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Future of Commerce","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","width":172,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/social-sustainability_FTR.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/social-sustainability_FTR.jpg","height":375,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/07\/19\/social-sustainability-definition-examples\/","about":[{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/purpose\/diversity\/","name":"Diversity and Inclusion","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Diversity,_equity,_and_inclusion"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/customer-experience\/employee-engagement\/","name":"Employee Engagement","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Employee_engagement","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q14937678"]},"Employee Experience & Engagement","Future of Grocery Retail","HXM: Human Experience Management","Inclusion & Diversity",{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/purpose\/","name":"Purpose","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Purpose"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/purpose\/purpose-general\/","name":"Purpose","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Purpose"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/e-commerce-solution\/supply-chain-e-commerce-solution\/","name":"Supply Chain","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Supply_chain","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q1824206"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/sustainability-in-business\/","name":"Sustainability in Business","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sustainable_business"]}],"wordCount":858,"keywords":["Diversity and Inclusion","Ethical Supply Chain","Gender Diversity","Sustainability","Sustainable Commerce","Sustainable Retail"],"articleBody":"Sustainability, by definition, encompasses environmental, economic, and social well-being. However, social sustainability is often overshadowed by environmental sustainability.For businesses to be both sustainable and profitable, we must put people, the planet, and profits on equal footing.Let\u2019s examine three ways organizations can get started prioritizing people \u2013 employees, customers, and communities \u2013 to achieve social sustainability and gain business benefits.      Without purpose-driven communication, it\u2019s all screaming into the void                Brands today need to back up their words with action, which starts by attracting and engaging employees with a shared sense of purpose.      What is social sustainability?Social sustainability is the concept of operating without negatively impacting people, local communities, or society as a whole. Concern for physical, mental, and emotional health is the central focus of social sustainability, and means that all processes, systems, structures, and actions taken are done so considering the wellbeing, greater good, and health of current and future generations.Most businesses have a good understanding of environmental sustainability, but may not be as familiar with social sustainability.“Businesses\u2019 social license to operate depends greatly on their social sustainability efforts,” according to the United Nations Global Compact.While a lack of social development can prevent business growth, companies that take action to benefit society can open up new markets and innovation, the organization notes.This content is hosted by a third party ( twitter.com ).To view the content, either update your cookie preferences or view it in a new browser window.Cookie PreferencesNew WindowTo incorporate social sustainability into their operations, businesses focus on a variety of initiatives, from hiring practices and employee support to projects that benefit the community they operate in and much more.Here are three core social sustainability strategies:Fostering workplace diversity, equity, and inclusionSupporting fair labor practicesDiversifying supplier networks      How to embed sustainability in your business \u2013 and bottom line                To achieve real benefits, companies need to embed sustainability into their business practices and processes. Learn three ways to do it.      A diverse workplace gets results in more ways than oneWorkforce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) does more than cultivate an environment where all employees can thrive. Workplaces that foster diversity and equity are also more creative, innovative, and profitable.In other words, focusing on DEI isn\u2019t just better for your people, it\u2019s better for your business, too.Researchers have found that\u00a0inclusive companies are 1.7 times more likely to be innovative and get 2.3 times more cash flow per employee. A study conducted by McKinsey & Company found that ethnically diverse companies are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. Gender diverse companies are 15% more likely to outperform their respective national industry medians.Hiring a diverse mix of people is a positive first step to achieving workplace diversity. However, eliminating systemic bias within your organization so that employees feel a sense of belonging and inclusion is what makes a diverse workforce truly powerful.How can you get started fostering DEI at your organization? People\u2019s experiences at work are diverse and varied \u2014 and employees can be affected by issues happening both inside and outside of the workplace. Asking your employees for feedback about their workplace experiences will help identify opportunities to support them.      Creating a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy that really works                Find out how HR leaders approach DEI to create a fair, inclusive, and diverse employee experience.      Supply chain transparency shines a light on labor practicesWhile the rise of globalization and outsourcing has created cost efficiencies for organizations around the world, it\u2019s also reduced visibility and transparency across supply chains.Without this transparency, organizations put themselves at risk by not having line of sight into their suppliers\u2019 employment practices.And unfortunately, in some cases, these practices can be unethical or illegal, including unfair labor policies, human trafficking, and forced labor.But asking for transparency from your suppliers isn\u2019t always a fool-proof approach. To prioritize social sustainability, business leaders need the right technology and tools to regain visibility and drive ethical business across employees, suppliers, and communities.      Ethical supply chains in 2025: Definition, examples, trends                Consumers expect more from the brands they buy from, and an ethical supply chain is now a requirement. Learn what it means and how to get started.      The social benefits of diverse supplier networksDiverse businesses are an essential part of large companies\u2019 supplier networks and play a crucial role in contributing to more equal, prosperous societies around the world.Business leaders have an opportunity to enhance their organization\u2019s social sustainability efforts by ensuring that all potential suppliers have a fair and equal opportunity to compete for business within their supply chains.This can include micro-, small-, and medium-size enterprises, social enterprises, local vendors, and enterprises that are minority owned.Sustainable businesses that use their buying power to prioritize people benefit the societies and the environment in which they operate.There\u2019s never been a better time to increase the percentage of diverse businesses that are part of your procurement network\u2014and generate meaningful social value for your organization.  Equality for ALL:Go from messaging about inclusion to making it a reality."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2022","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"19","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/\/07\/\/19\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Purpose and the C-suite: Social sustainability is mission-critical","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2022\/07\/19\/social-sustainability-definition-examples\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]