Purpose

Assuming that knowledge management is a pivotal issue in business to improve and maintain competitive advantages, this paper aims to investigate how knowledge management is useful to face challenges about the integration of environment, social and governance (ESG) factors, filling the gap in the literature regarding knowledge management and ESG in the banking world by considering a real case.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the analysis of the more relevant literature on the topic, this paper describes an illustrative real case through interviews with the credit department of an Italian bank that has adopted a specific sustainability approach. This paper discusses this case in the context of the outlined theoretical background to explore the trends and challenges of ESG integration. The case study allows us to evaluate and expand our theoretical framework, leading to a greater understanding of the complex phenomenon under investigation.

Findings

Based on the analysis of the literature combined with the insights that emerged from the experience of the real case, this study shows that there are three primary factors to consider: data issues, competencies and workflow. This study outlines an enhanced knowledge management framework displaying the complexity emerging from the integration of ESG into a bank’s credit department and identify the best practices to pursue.

Practical implications

Given the increasing pressure toward the incorporation of ESG factors into the banking sector, the practical implications of the study are relevant as they provide guidelines for action. Specifically, the practical problems highlighted by the real case, like the priority on themes such as questionnaires, the need for ad hoc commissions and workflow, drive the attention of decision-makers on key aspects to effectively adopt an advanced knowledge management approach aimed at improving the ESG integration. Considering the effect of the banking system on the economy, the best practices this study has identified can also have a positive impact on society as a whole.

Originality/value

The proposed enhanced knowledge management framework offers a guideline to orchestrate ESG integration into banks’ credit departments, considering the increasing need to frame a sustainability-oriented strategic approach that emerges from academic and practical enquiries. This research represents an initial attempt to investigate the integration of ESG factors in the banking system through the lens of knowledge management. The strategic nature of the ESG approach clearly appears in a dynamic environment where stakeholder pressures and regulatory evolutions are strong.

中文翻译：

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将ESG因素纳入银行信贷部门的挑战：知识管理增强框架

目的

假设知识管理是企业提高和保持竞争优势的关键问题，本文旨在研究知识管理如何有助于应对环境、社会和治理（ESG）因素整合的挑战，填补文献空白通过考虑真实案例，了解银行界的知识管理和 ESG。

设计/方法论/途径

本文从分析与该主题相关的更相关文献开始，通过对一家采用特定可持续发展方法的意大利银行信贷部门的采访，描述了一个说明性的真实案例。本文在概述的理论背景下讨论此案例，以探讨 ESG 整合的趋势和挑战。案例研究使我们能够评估和扩展我们的理论框架，从而更好地理解所研究的复杂现象。

发现

基于文献分析并结合真实案例经验得出的见解，本研究表明需要考虑三个主要因素：数据问题、能力和工作流程。本研究概述了一个增强的知识管理框架，显示了将 ESG 整合到银行信贷部门中所出现的复杂性，并确定了要追求的最佳实践。

实际影响

鉴于将 ESG 因素纳入银行业的压力越来越大，该研究的实际意义是相关的，因为它们提供了行动指南。具体来说，真实案例所凸显的实际问题，如调查问卷等主题的优先级、特设委员会和工作流程的必要性，促使决策者对关键方面的关注，有效采用先进的知识管理方法，旨在改善ESG 整合。考虑到银行体系对经济的影响，本研究确定的最佳实践也可以对整个社会产生积极影响。

原创性/价值

考虑到学术和实践研究中越来越需要制定以可持续发展为导向的战略方法，拟议的增强型知识管理框架为协调 ESG 融入银行信贷部门提供了指导。本研究代表了通过知识管理的视角研究银行体系中 ESG 因素整合的初步尝试。 ESG 方法的战略本质明显地体现在利益相关者压力和监管演变强烈的动态环境中。