Self-regulation and corporate sustainability in the brewing industry: a proposal for sustainability certification for small brewers in Ontario

Recent growth within the craft brewing industry has increased employment and economic growth in Ontario, and has also raised social and environmental concerns. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the application of a self-regulatory model within the Ontario craft brewing industry to improve sustainability performance. Based on a literature review, two content analyses, interviews with craft breweries, and interviews with sustainability certification administrators, the viability, content, and organization of a self-regulatory model has been considered. Findings suggest that a sustainability certification scheme grounded in a public report may be a viable governance mechanism for craft breweries in Ontario to adopt, and may result in improved sustainability performance within firms. A proposal for a guideline, requirements, and a list of indicators for a sustainability certification scheme is presented.