This project aims to illuminate how management accounting systems contribute to aligning sustainability objectives with long-term organisational value creation.
Award: Residency (inwards)
Project lead: Professor Leonardo Rinaldi
Department: Accounting and Financial Management
Partner: Manteco
Context and Underpinning Research
In partnership with Manteco, a global leader in sustainable luxury fabric, this project aimed to create a framework that not only assesses the social, environmental and economic impacts of organisations, but also cultivates resilience. Through collaboration, academic scholarship and matched research methodologies, this residency sought to provide organisations with the accounting tools and insights needed to navigate uncertainties and thrive in a rapidly changing world, helping organisations to withstand shocks, adapt to disruptions, and emerge stronger.
The project is grounded in research focused on management accounting within the context of sustainability and resilience in organisations. The overall aim is to illuminate how management accounting systems contribute to aligning sustainability objectives with long-term organisational value creation.
Residency overview
The residency was designed to enable project partners at Manteco to engage in collaborative activities such as research meetings, where they could share insights from their practical experience in the garment industry, as well as knowledge on best practice. The residency also facilitated the co-development of a framework for systematically assessing Manteco’s impact in crucial areas based on real-world needs and cases, enriching the academic work with empirical data and industry perspectives. Support provided by the University included access to Royal Holloway's extensive library resources for literature reviews, assistance in data analysis, and research mentorship.
Outcomes and impact
The residency provided some immediate impact for Manteco, moving the company’s focus from a compliance-driven audit logic to a holistic approach that recognises the well-being of its subcontractors. This demonstrates an integration of sustainability into business practice.
The expected future impact of the project includes Manteco’s enhanced ability to monitor and manage its supply chain and to improve sustainability reporting via the implementation of a reporting model. This model is expected to enhance Manteco’s accountability and ultimately its resilience. It also positions Manteco as a leader of socially responsible business practice. The aim is for this to put pressure on competitors to meet the same high standards of best practice.
The Role of Residency Funding
Funding provided the project partners with support for travel and accommodation arrangements, enabling a positive partnership with Royal Holloway and an overall impactful residency.
Next steps:
The project team are currently discussing further developing this model. This will include conducting focus groups and engagement activities with a sample of subcontractors participating in the pilot study. The goal is to refine the model and test its effectiveness by gathering direct input from those within the supply chain.
Leonardo also intends to translate his experiences from this project into a journal article. The article will focus on the development of the sustainability model, its theoretical foundations, and the practical implications of integrating well-being into corporate sustainability practices.
Get involved
If you are interested in engaging with this work, please contact Leonardo at Leonardo.Rinaldi@rhul.ac.uk
