The Triple Bottom Line and Social Responsibility Framework in Public Sector Management
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2015 The rT iple Bottom Line and Social Responsibility Framework in Public Sector Management Matthew Ajiake Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, and the Sustainability Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Matthew Ajiake has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. David Gould, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Bharat Thakkar, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. Salvatore Sinatra, University Reviewer, Management Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2015 Abstract The Triple Bottom Line and Social Responsibility Framework in Public Sector Management by Matthew Aiyemere Ajiake MBA, Golden Gate University, 1989 BA, Simpson University, 1987 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University August 2015 Abstract Leaders of public sector agencies must incorporate the voices of diversified stakeholders into planning and decision-making processes. With aging infrastructures around the world, public agencies are challenged to move public benefit projects forward when citizens are not engaged or empowered to participate in the process. The purpose of this triple bottom line (social, ecological, and financial) and social responsibility study was to explore whether public sector organizations are socially responsible by law. A case study was developed using data from publicly available documents and interviews that explored how the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) implemented a social responsibility framework that was grounded using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ISO 26000 guidelines, stakeholder theory, and corporate social responsibility theory. Data were collected using a researcher- developed questionnaire for face-to-face interviews with 20 elected officials, public agency executives, program managers, advisory group members, regional public sector members, and community stakeholders. Data were analyzed using direct interpretation, detailed description, establishment of correspondence and patterns, and categorical aggregation. Three themes emerged that demonstrated the existence of a socially responsible organizational framework at the SFPUC: unequivocal leadership support, allocation of adequate resources to fund the program, and a dynamic stakeholder-driven performance metrics and reporting system. The research findings may contribute to social change by demonstrating how ISO 26000 can help frame the performance measurement and reporting systems of public sector agencies and serve as a foundation for implementing stakeholder policies and procedures thus benefiting the public. The Triple Bottom Line and Social Responsibility Framework in Public Sector Management by Matthew Aiyemere Ajiake MBA, Golden Gate University, 1989 BA, Simpson University, 1987 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University August 2015 Dedication This doctoral study is dedicated to my children (Olivia, Jason, Austin, Josiah, and Grace) whose unconditional love and sacrifice made it possible for me to stay focused and sustained me in those times when I wanted to give up and do something else. To my parents (Mary Anoke Ajiake and late father, Philip Bawa Ajiake) who instilled in me the value of finishing what I started and who always emphasized the value of education. This milestone would be impossible without your caring support. Acknowledgments Very special thank you to my committee members, Dr. David Gould, Dr. Bharat Thakkar, and Dr. Salvatore Sinatra the Walden URR for working with me to ensure that this study met the academic requirements of Walden University. I am especially grateful to the Chair of my Committee, Dr. David Gould, who was my Encourager-in-Chief, ensuring I don’t give up and selflessly guided, supported and encouraged me throughout this dissertation process. I am indebted to your generosity of time and count it both a privilege and an honor to have worked with you. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................8 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................9 Research Questions ......................................................................................................10 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................11 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................17 Definition of Terms......................................................................................................19 Assumptions .................................................................................................................21 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................23 Limitations ...................................................................................................................25 Significance..................................................................................................................26 Summary ......................................................................................................................28 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................30 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................30 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................32 Literature Review.........................................................................................................34 How the Current Study Benefits from this Framework ........................................ 36 The Evolution of the TBL Framework ................................................................. 40 i TBL and the Public Utility Planning .................................................................... 46 Public Trust of Citizens in Government Decisions............................................... 49 TBL and Public Utility Projects ............................................................................ 56 Engagement of Stakeholder .................................................................................. 59 Engagement of Stakeholder in Water Resources Infrastructure Plan ................... 60 Technology Innovation and TBL Project ............................................................. 63 Summary ......................................................................................................................64 Chapter 3: Methodology ....................................................................................................66 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................66 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................70 Methodology ................................................................................................................73 Participant Selection Process ................................................................................ 73 Sampling Strategy ................................................................................................. 73 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 82 Interviews .............................................................................................................. 84 Observations ......................................................................................................... 86 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................ 87 Procedures for Pilot Study ...................................................................................