How can scientists and engineers contribute to organisational sustainability reform?

Purpose: This paper aims to explore how research and development (R&D) scientists and engineers can contribute to sustainability initiatives in their organisations. Design/methodology/approach: This paper employs a critical case study methodology, focused on a large Vietnamese company in which business leaders sought to engage R&D scientists and engineers in sustainability initiatives focused on eco-innovation and eco-efficiency. Bourdieu’s theoretical lens of habitus, capitals and field facilitates a relational analysis of the findings. Findings: While R&D scientists and engineers adapted well to early changes aligned with eco-innovation, they struggled to engage with sustainability initiatives in the case firm. This study explains adaptions and constraints as scientists and engineers’ professional habitus and capitals, and their broader organisational field. Practical implications: This paper provides insight into how organisations might integrate professional acculturation and appropriate facilitators to promote the additional contribution of scientists and engineers to sustainability initiatives in the context of an organisation. Social implications: Although eco-innovation and eco-efficiency are only potential dimensions of comprehensive organisational sustainability reform, this research provides insight into how engaging scientists and engineers with a broader social sustainability agenda might be advanced. Originality/value: The study addresses calls for empirical insights into ways that scientists and engineers can commit to organisational sustainability practices based on the configurations of habitus, capital and organisational field.