Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/338814 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Citation: 
[Journal:] Businesses [ISSN:] 2673-7116 [Volume:] 5 [Issue:] 3 [Article No.:] 37 [Year:] 2025 [Pages:] 1-21
Publisher: 
MDPI, Basel
Abstract: 
Based on semi-structured interviews with individuals with direct involvement in the certification process, this study examines the ANSI/NSI 373: Sustainable Production of Natural Dimension Stone standard from a business perspective, analyzing its adoption within the North American dimension stone industry and comparing it to voluntary sustainability initiatives (VSIs) in the forest sector. Key factors driving adoption include environmental and social responsibility, competitive positioning, and market differentiation. The findings reveal both the opportunities and the barriers that businesses face in integrating sustainability standards, including certification credibility, operational challenges, and varying levels of industry acceptance. While ANSI/NSI 373 offers potential value in branding and environmental responsibility, inconsistent firm responses and rigorous certification demands pose challenges to widespread implementation. This research underscores the need for strategic collaboration among industry stakeholders to enhance adoption, improve market positioning, and leverage sustainability as a business advantage.
Subjects: 
ANSI/NSI 373 standard
certification compliance
competitive advantage
dimension stone
market positioning
social responsibility
voluntary sustainability initiatives
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Article
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