Amidst the unprecedented economic backdrop of a global pandemic, the intricate web of greenwashing discourse in times of fake news has woven its threads into the fabric of corporate sustainability, reshaping managers’ perceptions and challenging their attitudes toward sustainable decision-making. In a two-phase qualitative study, this research explores the impact of greenwashing discourse on managers’ perceptions and attitudes toward sustainability post pandemic in France. The results reveal a disconnection between external greenwashing discourse and the managerial mindset, as claims of greenwashing are often linked to “fake news.” Furthermore, the study shows that the pandemic has shifted the spotlight onto financial concerns, overshadowing sustainability in strategic decision-making and thereby altering the landscape of corporate responsibility. Going beyond the conventional focus on consumers and clients, this study aims to fill a critical gap in greenwashing research by examining the impact on different stakeholders. In this investigation, we aim to contribute to research on greenwashing discourse by offering more comprehensive understanding of the complexities and nuances involved in managerial perceptions of the discourse and sustainability initiatives in an era marked by unprecedent challenges.

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Le managérialisme est l’accaparement du pouvoir par les managers, aux dépends des autres parties prenantes d’une organisation. Il se développe sur un affaiblissement de l’autorité professionnelle de ceux qui réalisent la mission de leur entreprise ou de leur administration, remplacée par le pouvoir de celui qui croit savoir et qui décide de tout en conséquence. Les managérialistes ont pour mission de fixer les objectifs collectifs et de décider des moyens à utiliser pour atteindre ces objectifs. Résister au managérialisme, c’est donc restaurer l’autorité de celui qui est capable d’expliquer, de justifier le pourquoi et le comment de ce qu’il fait ou propose de faire.
JOULLIÉ Jean-Étienne - EMLV |
- Management Dictionary
- Governance, History of Management, Human Resources Management, Organizational Theory

