10 Theoretical Foundations of Sustainable Management and ESG
Key contents of the 10 core theories

PART 01 The Need for Sustainable Management and ESG

CHAPTER 01 What is Sustainable Management?
1.1 Concept of Sustainability
1.2 Theoretical Framework and Evolution of Sustainable Management
1.3 Theoretical and Practical Links between the Brundtland Report and the SDGs
1.4 An integrated approach to economic, environmental, and social sustainability

CHAPTER 02 What is ESG Management?
2.1 Definition of ESG Management
2.2 Three Key Elements of ESG Management
2.3 Differences between CSR and ESG Management: Shifts in Philosophy, Structure, and Strategy
2.4 Effectiveness and Empirical Results of ESG Management

CHAPTER 03 The Relationship Between Sustainable Management and ESG
3.1 Comparison of the Concepts of ESG Management and Sustainable Management
3.2 Reasons for Aiming for Sustainable Management
3.3 ESG Investing and Corporate Value
3.4 Sustainable Management as an Implementation System for Embedding ESG Management into the Organization
3.5 Evaluation and Disclosure of Sustainable Management and ESG Performance

CHAPTER 04 10 Theoretical Foundations of Sustainable Management and ESG
4.1 From Phenomenon to Essence: Why We Need Theory
4.2 Sustainable Management and ESG through the Lens of 10 Theories
4.3 From Theory to Practice: Leveraging Strategic Management Tools
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Does ESG Management Ensure Corporate Sustainability?
Topic 2: Should Companies Prioritize ESG Management or Sustainable Management?
[Practice Problems]

PART 02 A Theoretical Framework for Sustainable Management and ESG

CHAPTER 05 Mixed Value Theory
5.1 Concept of mixed value theory
5.2 Characteristics of mixed value theory
| Leading scholars of mixed value theory |
5.3 Mixed Value Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
| Blended Value Theory and Corporate Case Studies - Patagonia |
5.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from a Mixed Value Theory Perspective
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Should companies prioritize profit maximization or social value creation?
Topic 2: Can Mixed Value Theory Be Applied to All Companies?
[Practice Problems]

CHAPTER 06 Shared Value Theory
6.1 Concept of shared value theory
6.2 Characteristics of the shared value theory
| Leading scholars of shared value theory |
6.3 Shared Value Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
Shared Value Theory and Corporate Case Studies - Nestlé |
6.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from the Perspective of Shared Value Theory
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Can a company's CSV strategy bring about real social change?
Topic 2: Is CSV a More Effective Approach than CSR?
[Practice Problems]

CHAPTER 07 Stakeholder Theory
7.1 Concept of Stakeholder Theory
7.2 Characteristics of Stakeholder Theory
| Leading scholars of stakeholder theory |
7.3 Stakeholder Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
Stakeholder Theory and Corporate Case Studies - Starbucks |
7.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from a Stakeholder Theory Perspective
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Should a company prioritize the interests of shareholders or stakeholders?
Topic 2: Is stakeholder theory sufficient as a theoretical foundation for ESG management?
[Practice Problems]

CHAPTER 08 Corporate Citizenship Theory
8.1 Concept of Corporate Citizenship Theory
8.2 Characteristics of Corporate Citizenship Theory
| Leading scholars of corporate citizenship theory |
8.3 Corporate Citizenship Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
Corporate Citizenship Theory and Corporate Case Studies - Marks & Spencer |
8.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from the Perspective of Corporate Citizenship Theory
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Based on Corporate Citizenship Theory an Essential Obligation of Corporations?
Topic 2: Does Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Based on Corporate Citizenship Theory Enhance Corporate Competitiveness?
[Practice Problems]

CHAPTER 09 Social Capital Theory
9.1 Concept of social capital theory
9.2 Characteristics of Social Capital Theory
| Leading scholars of social capital theory |
9.3 Social Capital Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
Social Capital Theory and Corporate Case Studies - The LEGO Group |
9.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from the Perspective of Social Capital Theory
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Does ESG Management Based on Social Capital Theory Enhance a Company's Long-Term Competitiveness?
Topic 2: Does social trust built through ESG management guarantee economic performance?
[Practice Problems]

CHAPTER 10 INSTITUTIONAL THEORY
10.1 Concept of institutional theory
10.2 Characteristics of institutional theory
| Leading scholars of institutional theory |
10.3 Institutional Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
Institutional Theory and Corporate Case Studies - Danone |
10.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from an Institutional Theory Perspective
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Is Corporate ESG Management a Social Responsibility or an Institutional Requirement?
Topic 2: Can Institutional Isomorphism Hinder Corporate Innovation?
[Practice Problems]

CHAPTER 11 Resource Dependence Theory
11.1 Concept of Resource Dependence Theory
11.2 Characteristics of Resource Dependence Theory
| Leading scholars of resource dependence theory |
11.3 Resource Dependence Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
| Resource Dependence Theory and Corporate Case Studies - Eli Lilly |
11.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from a Resource Dependence Theory Perspective
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Does a Supply Chain Diversification Strategy Contribute to Strengthening ESG Management?
Topic 2: Does Resource Scarcity Affect a Company's Negotiating Power and ESG Strategies?
[Practice Problems]

CHAPTER 12 Transaction Cost Theory
12.1 Concepts of Transaction Cost Theory
12.2 Characteristics of Transaction Cost Theory
| Leading scholars of transaction cost theory |
12.3 Transaction Cost Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
Transaction Cost Theory and Corporate Case Studies - Amazon |
12.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from a Transaction Cost Theory Perspective
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: What is the best choice between internalization and outsourcing?
Topic 2: Can ESG Management Reduce Transaction Costs?
[Practice Problems]

CHAPTER 13 Social Innovation Theory
13.1 Concept of social innovation theory
13.2 Characteristics of Social Innovation Theory
| Leading scholars of social innovation theory |
13.3 Social Innovation Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
Social Innovation Theory and Corporate Case Studies - The Muradai Experiment
13.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from the Perspective of Social Innovation Theory
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Can the sustainability and scalability of social innovation be guaranteed?
Topic 2: Which Priority Should Be Given in the Social Innovation Process: Economic Benefits or Social Values?
[Practice Problems]

CHAPTER 14 Hybrid Organization Theory
14.1 Concept of Hybrid Organization Theory
14.2 Characteristics of Hybrid Organization Theory
| Leading scholars of hybrid organization theory |
14.3 Hybrid Organization Theory, Sustainable Management, and ESG
Hybrid Organization Theory and Corporate Case Studies - TerraCycle |
14.4 Sustainable Management and ESG Research from the Perspective of Hybrid Organization Theory
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: Can Hybrid Organizations Harmoniously Pursue Economic Goals and Social Values?
Topic 2: Can Hybrid Organizations Implement ESG Management More Effectively Than Traditional Companies?
[Practice Problems]

PART 03 Sustainable Management and ESG: Their Future and Prospects

CHAPTER 15: The Limitations and Challenges of Sustainable Management and ESG
15.1 Sustainable Management and ESG Remain as Declarative Slogans
15.2 Impossibility of measurement and lack of reliability of evaluation indicators
15.3 Absence of institutional enforcement and limitations of self-regulation
15.4 Identity Confusion and Blurred Boundaries of ESG
15.5 Greenwashing and the Crisis of Corporate Trust

CHAPTER 16 Macro-level Challenges for Sustainable Management and ESG
16.1 Legislation of ESG and Design of Policy Incentive Structures
16.2 Stakeholder-centered management restructuring
16.3 Financial Integration of ESG Values: Linking Sustainability and Profitability
16.4 Establishing a Data-Based ESG Evaluation System
16.5 Establishing an ESG Innovation Ecosystem and Inter-Industry Collaboration Mechanism

CHAPTER 17 Micro-level Action Strategies for Sustainable Management and ESG
17.1 Strengthening internal organizational capacity to establish ESG strategies
17.2 Supply Chain-Based ESG Integration Strategy
17.3 Building Partnerships with Communities and Stakeholders
17.4 Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement Strategy for ESG Practices
[Discussion Assignment]
Topic 1: How Do ESG Limitations Affect Corporate Strategy?
Topic 2: Which Priority Should Be Given: Global ESG Standardization or Regional and Industry-Specific Customization?
[Practice Problems]

While sustainable management and ESG have emerged as new paradigms for corporate evaluation, the theoretical foundations supporting them have not been sufficiently established, which is regrettable.
The failure to provide a systematic answer to the fundamental question, "Why should we adopt ESG?" has led to the phenomenon of "greenwashing," as ESG has been adopted as a fad.

This book is the first to systematically address the theories related to sustainable management and ESG.
Through ten core theories that span multiple disciplines, including business administration, economics, and sociology, we explain when and where sustainable management originated.
Furthermore, by demonstrating that ESG management creates not only social value but also economic profits, it explains why investors and financial institutions today require ESG factors in corporate evaluation data.