Integrated management systems as a corporate response to sustainable development

The concept of sustainable development has become widespread amongst government agencies, politicians, corporations and other organizations throughout the world. As a response to the challenge of sustainable development, Swedish corporations have shown a growing interest in integrating their efforts regarding management of environmental, quality related and social issues. Companies in the engineering industry are particularly active in this area. This paper describes the paths three world leading Swedish engineering corporations have taken in their striving towards sustainable development, and analyses why and how they are integrating their different management systems. We finally analyse and discuss, from a theoretical point of view with focus on subjects as well as methods of management, whether these integrated management systems in use can support the companies in their management of sustainability.