Introduction

Broadly, the calls for sustainable development have become order of everyday life in almost
all corridors of the global village. But its nitty-gritties regarding the incorporation rate across
the trade blocks, countries, industries, business organizations down to individual level
depends largely on push and pull factors, the ratio of which is uncalled-for as push factors
appear to be greater than pull factors in many instances. It goes without saying that push
factors are organized around ‘fears of the unknown’ and so the motives for incorporating
sustainability under such conditions are basically to elbow out uncertainties such as future
criticisms and tax charges – which is not sustainable. The latter is usually built on a
combination of drives including the quest to harness lucrative opportunities whilst addressing
social and environmental responsibilities – which is sustainable.

Most recently, the world’s caring patrons under the leadership of the United Nations (UN)
have decided to sweat out a solution rather than to sit out a problem. In its blue print The
2030 Agenda, the UN rolled out engagement and re-engagement programs in a bid to counter
the disturbing grant challenges of climatic changes, increased social injustices, poverty
eradication, rising immigration, a surge in uprisings & terror and hunger.

Parts and systems that opt to engage in sustainability practices must do so after having gained
practical stand points of their macro business operating environments. The focus of this
research considers business practices of customs clearance set-ups to achieve sustainable
operations in customs clearing organizations. Such practices are essential for a general
rebuilding towards sustainable business at local through to international level. Unlike many
research projects that focus on issues related to what sustainability means in a business
context, whether sustainable practices can be profitable in the short or long run as well as
how sustainable outcomes can be measured, this project will look into what sustainability
really is, why, and how it can be incorporate into strategies, corporate governance and
management structures in customs clearing organizations. It does so by; (i) understanding
different types of sustainability practices available to customs clearing organizations, (ii) the
opportunities and challenges associated with different types of sustainability practices. This is
done through a qualitative multiple case studies based on interviews with Managing Directors
and Change Managers in heterogeneous sample of 5 organizations.

Background to the study

The history of customs clearance of goods at ports and borders can be traced back to a time
immemorial. The practice of customs clearance at ports and borders has become the universal
procedure for declaring and clearing goods across trade networks. Many governments across
the globe have adopted the practice and use it as their basis to enhance regional and
international trade, levy customs duties & taxes as well as a tool to collect trade statistics.

Since its creation, reports have reflected that the trade of customs clearance experienced
massive alterations from multifaceted factors. The magnitudes of the changes differ in many
ways to the extent that they can push even the so called seasoned and well-respected
professionals with tons of hours and hands-on experience to the edges. Change drivers
include such things as; increased reports of fraudulent activities, drug trafficking, rampant
cases of illicit trading, increased social injustices, not forgetting advancements in
technologies. In addition, environment also changed e.g. a shift from manual environment to
almost paperless.