Sustainability Strategies Assessment within Organisation

: Case Study "Abu Dhabi Ports Group"

Abstract

With the growing relevance of sustainable development, countries around the world are shifting their attention and efforts to replace the previously failed, unsustainable growth paradigm. The UAE appears to be following the rest of the world in implementing a sustainability plan to secure prosperity through its national vision and strategic objectives. Despite the UAE's implementation of the National Vision, numerous local organisations continue to struggle to integrate sustainability objectives into their systems and procedures. There is also a scarcity of empirical research on applying sustainable solutions in the port sector to boost competitiveness at the local and regional level. As a result, the first step in this study was to investigate UAE policies and strategies if it is supporting to achieve sustainable development goals and looking in Abu Dhabi Ports organisation polices and strategies if it is aligned with the national objective in terms of sustainability. The second intention of this study is to assess the adoption of sustainability measures in Abu Dhabi Ports Group (ADPG/ADP) as a case study in order to improve the port sector's competitiveness. The data was collected and analysed using a qualitative technique with 38 Abu Dhabi Ports Group interviewees. The investigation began with a purposive sampling strategy. A semi-structured interview was chosen as the data collection instrument, and theme analysis was used to gain a thorough understanding of the interviews. The research findings led to the development of a framework to assist the organisation in shifting to sustainability. The study revealed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the national level, aimed for the top rank globally in several domains of operation, including the fulfilment of the targets outlined in the United Nations' 2030 programme. The UAE implements policies, plans, and programmes to promote the achievement of their objectives, including Vision 2021, the Green Economy Programme, the National Innovation Strategy, the Energy 2050 Strategy, humanitarian relief, and initiatives addressing climate change. The study also revealed that the Abu Dhabi Ports Group has a strong dedication to sustainability, especially in areas such as revenue growth, employment, waste management, and marine diversity, even in the absence of strategies and clear management direction. This indirect commitment aligns with the UAE's national vision. However, there are areas where Abu Dhabi Ports Group could improve its effectiveness. More precisely, the study reveals areas where there is potential for enhancing efforts to reduce emissions, control water and power usage, optimize supply chain operations, and involve all stakeholders in the sustainability journey. Although Abu Dhabi Ports Group has shown great performance generally, there are certain areas that can be targeted for intervention and improvement in order to strengthen the organisation's sustainability efforts. Overall, the port follows governmental laws and regulations where they are available; otherwise, it uses international regulations as a standard. International standards, governmental regulations, and laws are among the main drivers that fuel the implementation of sustainability initiatives within Abu Dhabi Ports Group, while a lack of governance and leaders' direction are identified as the main inhibitors to sustainability implementation within the organisation. The results of this study provide valuable knowledge that helps decision-makers in the Abu Dhabi Ports Group develop effective strategies to enhance the sector's competitiveness in the region. Additionally, these findings contribute to the existing body of research on sustainable development (SD) and its implementation in port management. These contributions enhance the discussion on sustainable development methods, especially in the field of port organisation, and highlight the significance of incorporating sustainability factors into strategic decision-making procedures.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Aberystwyth University
Supervisor	Rhys Jones (Supervisor) & Iain Donnison (Supervisor)