Sustainability management: research insights from social cognitive neuroscience

Abstract

Abstract Research in the field of social cognitive neuroscience is advancing rapidly, accelerated by technological innovation in brain imaging. This research is producing novel insights as to how humans process information, make decisions and behave in response to the growing imperatives for sustainability management. Recent research findings have implications for the theoretical foundations of sustainability management as well as the practical challenges confronting managers. Neuroscientific evidence underscores the magnitude of the challenges. Physiological evidence of six neural processes, hardwired via synaptic connections and potentially antagonistic to enhanced sustainability management, establish the structure of the paper. These neural phenomena, which are reflexive and preconscious, include: amygdala intercept, in‐group/out‐group differentiation, loss aversion, implicit persuasion and priming effects – cognitive and cultural. Propositions are advanced linking neurological processes to sustainability management. The paper concludes with strategic considerations and practical implications for greater integration between social cognitive neuroscience and sustainability management research.