Communicating Sustainability Online: An Examination of Corporate, Nonprofit, and University Websites
Abstract
Sustainability, here defined as environmental quality and well-being, has emerged as a core business strategy and a focal area of investigation among communication scholars. This study analyzed sustainability landing pages on websites of top corporations, nonprofits, and colleges/universities for the types of sustainability content presented. Comparisons are made between organization types. Few nonprofits in the sample provided sustainability content; however, nearly all universities and more than half of the corporations had a designated sustainability landing page on their websites. Findings suggest that organizations are promoting certain content, but fewer than 40% quantify their sustainability claims on any topic. Implications about the role of these communication forms for sustainability programs are discussed.
Publication Title
Mass Communication and Society
Recommended Citation
Ott, H., Wang, R., & Bortree, D. (2016). Communicating Sustainability Online: An Examination of Corporate, Nonprofit, and University Websites. Mass Communication and Society, 19 (5), 671-687. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2016.1204554
