Journal Press India®

GBS Impact: Journal of Multi Disciplinary Research
Vol 12 , Issue 1 , January - June 2026 | Pages: 306-318 | Research Paper

An Exploratory Study of the Societal Impact of Organizational Research: Perspectives on Sustainability, Ethics, and Business Practices

Author Details ( * ) denotes Corresponding author

1. * Rakshita Allappanavar, Assistant Professor, Center For Management Studies, Center For Management Studies, JAIN(Deemed to be University), Banglore, Karnataka, India (rakshitha.ma.23@gmail.com)
2. Prashant Edramimath, Assistant Professor , Management, Karnataka State Law University, Hubballi , Bagalkot, Karnataka, India (prashante45@gmail.com)

Over the past two decades, sustainability and ethical responsibility have become central concerns in organizational research and business practice. Organizations are increasingly expected to create value not only for shareholders but also for employees, customers, communities, and the environment. As a result, sustainability and ethics are no longer viewed as peripheral concerns; they have become essential elements of long-term organizational success and competitiveness.

Although considerable research has examined sustainability initiatives, ethical leadership, stakeholder engagement, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, limited attention has been given to understanding the broader societal impact of organizational research itself. In particular, there remains a lack of integrated frameworks capable of assessing how academic knowledge influences business behavior and contributes to social well-being.

This study explores the role of organizational research in promoting ethical and sustainable business practices and examines how such research generates social value. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining a review of existing literature, surveys of sustainability professionals, and interviews with organizational leaders. The findings suggest that while organizations increasingly rely on ESG frameworks and stakeholder-centered approaches, significant challenges remain in measuring, reporting, and evaluating social impact.

Based on the findings, the study proposes an integrated framework that combines ethical governance principles with sustainability performance indicators to better assess organizational contributions to society. The research contributes to existing literature by connecting organizational research, sustainability, and social impact assessment while offering practical guidance for organizations seeking to strengthen their social and ethical commitments.

Keywords

Sustainability, Organizational Ethics, Social Impact, Responsible Innovation, ESG, Stakeholder Engagement

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