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Purpose

The objective of this paper is to provide insights into the significance of communication factors for sustainability practices and their interconnections within organisations. In order to achieve this, the paper explores the differences between civil society organisations (CSOs), corporations and public sector organisations (PSOs). Furthermore, it analyses the relationship between these factors and the performance of organisations in relation to environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to identify eight relevant communication factors. A survey was then carried out to explore sustainability integration, focusing on communication factors and sustainability performance. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and ANOVA to identify patterns and relationships.

Findings

The results show that all communication factors are critical for organisational sustainability, with policies ranked first. The results of the correlation analyses indicate that all eight communication factors are interconnected, though the strength of these relationships varies. The reporting shows a low correlation with other communication factors. While there are statistical differences in communication factors across different types of organisations, the “policy” factor is ranked first in all three types. The results also indicate that employee engagement has a significant correlation with all three aspects of sustainability performance. The overall results show that communication factors, including leadership, employee engagement, training, diversity and inclusion, policies, vision and mission and support, have a significant impact on sustainability performance in organisations.

Practical implications

This paper explores key communication factors in sustainability, analysing their interrelations in different type of organisations and links to performance. By mapping factors such as policy, support, reporting and training, the paper highlights how integrated communication structures influence sustainability outcomes. The central roles of support and policy suggest that formal structures are vital for embedding sustainability. PSOs, CSOs and corporations can strengthen their impact through tailored strategies, such as mandatory training, cross-functional teams or incentive-based programs. Improving communication factors enables better alignment with sustainability goals, enhances employee engagement and supports more effective organisation-wide efforts to drive sustainability outcomes and broader societal impact.

Social implications

This study underscores the societal benefits of effective communication strategies for sustainability. Enhanced communication channels can promote transparency, inclusivity and stakeholder collaboration, shaping public policy and fostering community engagement. By integrating sustainability-focused factors, including leadership and support, into policy frameworks, organisations and policymakers can address sustainability challenges more cohesively. These strategies promote collective action and catalyse progress toward sustainable development goals through increased awareness and collaboration.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights into the interconnections of communication factors for sustainability in different types of organisations and their relationship with performance, emphasising the need for a holistic and integrated approach.