Consent form

Embedding Sustainability Strategies for Competitive Advantage:

A case of the UAE Construction Industry

Consent Statement

 I agree to participate in the above research project and give my consent freely.

 I understand that the project will be conducted as described in the “Information Sheet”, a
copy of which I have retained.

 I understand that I can withdraw from the project at any time and am not obliged to provide a
reason for withdrawing.

 I consent to participate in an interview with the researcher.

 I understand that my personal information will remain confidential with the researcher.

 I understand that my organisation will not be identified either directly or indirectly.

 I have had the opportunity to have questions answered to my satisfaction.

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 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Date
Time of interview
Name of organisation A.A. Turki Group (ATCO)

Name of Interviewee Zaid Al-Turki

Position of Interviewee Vice Chairman

Organisation’s total employee size 3,000

Organisation’s total turnover $ 2 billion

 Please kindly tell me a little about what your current job role is in the organisation?
In this organization as vice chairman, many responsibilities on my side. I have to manage annual
meetings, shareholders flexible communication system and decision control with collaboration of
management.

 Given your role in this organisation, please explain what does “sustainability” mean to you and your
organisation?
Challenges and opportunities in the marketplaces we function in are experiencing great
explosiveness from product pricing, and multifaceted controlling and social guidelines have made
it gradually challenging for our resource consumers to pursue their bigger ventures in a timely
manner.
The influence of these surroundings was superficial towards the end of previous year and they will
no uncertainty be the reason of substantial headwinds. It is for accurately these impulsive,
unpredictable and changeable times that corporation has been controlled in structure our balance
sheet.
A solid promise to our purchasers’ needs our capability to endure to invest without attenuation,
and the directed and surgical elimination of excess expenses and redundant procedures, will allow
your corporation to differentiate it from our opponents in these unrestrained times. The piston
consequence of your company’s varied earning power endures to be essential strength. Foremost
the way, our utility companies that have constantly accomplished premium development and
continue to have a robust outlook, equally in Canada and Australia.

 Do you think your organisation has a more dominant sustainability approach?

All organizations aim to establish and enhance their development with more productivity in low
cost. And standards meet for the sustainability maintaining and projects working for this to develop
environment safety programs.

 Can you describe the key drivers that have fuelled the need for implementing sustainability initiatives in
your organisation?
To provision our progression approaches and improve proficiency, we have expanded our board
participation. Collectively, our panel carries a wide extensiveness of understanding to our
establishment. I wish to acknowledge them for their extraordinary determinations. Their wisdom
and recreation of foremost presentation, collective with the unrealistic leadership of Chairman
have superintended company’s cosmological growth.

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 The next few questions will focus on key sustainability initiatives that have been implemented or planning to implement in
your organisation in the next 5 years.

 From the job role and responsibilities that you perform in this organisation, please, describe key
‘sustainability initiatives’ that are:
 Currently being implemented in your organisation
Our administrators who significantly contributed in sustainability management to our business’s
achievement previous year and for the three decades. Susan Werth, Senior Vice President, and
Harry Wilmot, President & Chief Operating Officer of ATCO coordination with members for
arrangements and logistics participated with Chief Administration Officer. Susan and Harry
together endure to deliver their outstanding guidance and aptitude to our corporation through new
governance roles.
 Planning to implement in your organisation in the next 5 years?
We are producing quality products and initiative for cost differentiation in our organization which
will reduce our cost and achieve high standard with highest market share in coming next five
years. In which our specialised staff enhance our production 25% and profitability almost 35%.

The discussions have been very interesting. The next few questions will focus on main challenges organisations face in
implementing key sustainability initiative.

 From the job role and responsibilities that you perform in this organisation, please, enlighten me on the
main challenges your organisation face in implementing sustainability initiatives?
1- Many employees have insufficient knowledge and expertise towards sustainability to
implement their ability and work for achievement.
2- Some employees not interested in self-motivation and improvement, there is difficulty to
ensure sustainability and improve their knowledge.
3- Our organization work for the achievement of sustainability initiative and more quality products
for enhancement of value with competent staff.
4- To implement initiative for budget and calculation is task difficult one which required to allow
specific budget and effective way to use.

The next question will focus on the impact of key sustainability initiatives on organisational competitiveness.

 Given your job roles and responsibility, kindly explain how the efforts of sustainability initiatives have
contributed to your organisation’s competitiveness?
We have comprised a team and committee and I am also member of this team. We establish
standard for sustainability and maintaining this standard which improves the organization and won
different awards for best services and sustainability maintain in organization.

 In your view is there a need for developing “a mobile application for managing transformational change
towards sustainability” in your organisation.
In order to sustainability management for organization with the support of government to apply
application for managing transformational change towards sustainability in the organization. Our
qualified staffs enhance their diversity in operations to maintain sustainability.

 If so, what are the features would you like to see in the mobile application framework.
a. Energy and carbon management
b. Waste management

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 c. Resources management
d. Employee well-being management
e. Corporate social responsibility
f. GRI reporting
g. Annual sustainability reporting
h. Analytics
Knowledge and training necessary for the purpose to enhance their staff expertise with all required
facilities above mention.

Thank you for your views on the above questions. I would also like to thank you for the time
you have dedicated to this research. If you are interested to know the outcome of this
research, it would be my pleasure to share it with you.