The Chief Sustainability Officer, Impact Maturity, and Financial Performance: A Cross-Cultural Maturity Analysis of MBA Students

Abstract

In the evolving landscape of leadership, sustainability has become an integral part of decision-making. This research paper aims to go beyond traditional sustainability and environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) performance, by using the concept of Business Impact Maturity (BIM) and exploring systemic relationships between impact maturity and strategic acumen in a business context. Focusing on MBA scholars, this research investigated how Business Impact Maturity (BIM), based on a 5-level framework developed from the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society at Imperial College Business School, can be measured among future business leaders to evaluate and compare sustainability approaches. At Imperial College London, Business Impact Maturity was defined as the degree to which a company or individual aligns purpose, strategy, structure, and culture with systemic well-being, stakeholder integration, and ecosystem partnership. The analysis applied the maturity model, comprising impact maturity levels ranging from shareholder-focused to systemic impact, by focusing on patterns (advocacy, preparation, transformation). As for the research methodology, the research collected data from scholars in MBA programs from various backgrounds and used qualitative patterns, with 21 respondents as a sample size. By examining the intersection of business acumen and impact maturity with qualitative research through scenario analysis and in-depth reflections, the findings provided insights for corporate decision-makers and leaders on how to foster transformative leadership and how to optimize systemic mindsets in a world driven by a sustainability imperative. As for entire organizations, the insights offered guidance on how organizations should align overall business strategies with expectations of international and global markets, as well as acquire the right talent to future-proof adaptations. For academics, this research challenged existing leadership theory with another layer of individualistic, cross-cultural implications (sustainability leadership) for MBA education to be analyzed in future research.

Keywords: MBA, systems thinking, Ikigai, sustainability leadership, Business Impact Maturity, B Corp, ESG, Chief Sustainability Officer.

6717192038 Dennis Vogt, 2568 (2025). Advisor: รศ. ดร.จอมพงศ์ มงคลวนิช – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jomphong Mongkhonvanit, สารนิพนธ์ (Independent Study), The Chief Sustainability Officer, Impact Maturity, and Financial Performance: A Cross-Cultural Maturity Analysis of MBA Students, นำเสนอในที่ประชุมวิชาการ (Conference), The 18th National and International Academic Conference 2025, ปริญญาโท (Master’s Degree), บัณฑิตวิทยาลัย (Graduate School), Master of Business Administration, Finance and Accounting, Siam University, Bangkok, Thailand – มหาวิทยาลัยสยาม กรุงเทพมหานคร ประเทศไทย