Significant discrepancies in the terminology adopted by the Digital Stars were identified, as some companies use the term “sustainability strategy” while others divide their actions into focus areas or do not communicate the division of their actions and goals into any kind of category or focus area.
Howevever, for the purpose of this work, , an effort was made to address these differences and classify similar actions as a strategy where it fits. In cases where companies divided their actions into “focus areas”, that was considered a strategy. The companies were divided into three groups:
Companies that: | Companies | Terminology used |
Use the word strategy and assign actions into key categories and areas | Apple, Microsoft, Netflix | “Strategic pillars”, “Reduction Strategy” |
Don’t use the word strategy, but assign actions into key categories and areas | Google, Facebook, Salesforce, Amazon, | “Drive impact in five ways”, “key issues”, “guiding principles”, “sustainability principles”, actions divided into sections in sustainability report |
Don’t use the word strategy and don’t assign actions into key categories and areas | Oracle, PayPal, Adobe | No clear division or of actions into strategic pillars or categories |
The lack of pattern is also observed by comparing the definition of the strategic pillars by the Digital Stars. Some companies define them according to environmental impact areas such as Apple and Microsoft, while others focus on broader issues such as Salesforce which possesses an environmental strategic pillar relative to education and mobilization.