Know your CSRD : Unveiling the real challenges of CSRD implementation and strategic actions

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a new regulation that organizations must comply with, and many are eager to understand its implications. Due to the lack of clear benchmarks and standardized approaches, companies often seek insights into the CSRD process, the challenges involved, and how these challenges have been addressed. However, given the novelty of the regulation, there are only limited resources available. To help address this gap, this study investigates the challenges and strategies related to CSRD implementation using a combination of semi-structured interviews with a company that have already implemented the CSRD process, as well as experts involved in the implementation, along with a netnographic study involving industry professionals to provide multiple perspectives on the topic. These multiple perspectives will offer a great understanding of how challenges emerge at different organizational levels. Furthermore, beyond merely identifying challenges and strategies, the study adopts a systems thinking approach to explore how these challenges are interconnected and interact within the organizational context. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding and supports the development of more effective solutions. Finally, as a practical outcome, the study concludes with a step-by-step booklet that organizations can use as a guide helping them navigate the CSRD process and prepare for successful implementation.