Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Siano, Alfonso
• Vollero, Agostino
• Conte, Francesca
• Amabile, Sara

Titel

“More than words”: Expanding the taxonomy of greenwashing after the Volkswagen scandal

Ist Teil von

• Journal of business research, 2017-02, Vol.71, p.27-37

Ort / Verlag

Elsevier Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2017

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Elsevier ScienceDirect Journals

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This study explores a new type of greenwashing behaviour, through the lenses of the “communicative constitution of organizations” (CCO), which challenges the dominant view in corporate social responsibility (CSR) studies. A theory-building case study was carried out by analysing the Volkswagen scandal. Both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained via a content analysis of both 2012–2014 CSR reports of the Volkswagen Group and a sample of 1151 U.S. newspaper headlines concerning Dieselgate, together with semi-structured interviews with former managers from Volkswagen. From a theoretical perspective, the study extends the greenwashing taxonomy by identifying a new type of irresponsible behaviour, namely “deceptive manipulation”. This reinforces the CCO perspective according to which sustainability communication acts as a constitutive force. In terms of managerial implications, the study suggests some approaches to prevent this specific type of greenwashing. •A theory building approach to Dieselgate case is presented.•An extension of taxonomy of greenwashing is proposed.•This new type of greenwashing shows a performative character.•Theory of the communicative constitution of organizations is reinforced.