How can scientists and engineers contribute to organisational sustainability reform? Thinh Gia Hoang, Cuong Van Hoang, Nam Hai Vu, Giang Tinh Ngo Nguyen and Thanh Thi Huong Nguyen Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to explore how research and development (R&D) scientists and engineers can contribute to sustainability initiatives in their organisations. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a critical case study methodology, focussed on a large Vietnamese company in which business leaders sought to engage R&D scientists and engineers in sustainability initiatives focussed on eco-innovation and eco-efficiency. Bourdieu’s theoretical lens of habitus, capitals and field facilitates a relational analysis of the findings. Findings – While R&D scientists and engineers adapted well to early changes aligned with eco- innovation, they struggled to engage with sustainability initiatives in the case firm. This study explains adaptions and constraints as scientists and engineers’ professional habitus and capitals, and their broader organisational field. Practical implications – This paper provides insight into how organisations might integrate professional acculturation and appropriate facilitators to promote the additional contribution of scientists and engineers to sustainability initiatives in the context of an organisation. Social implications – Although eco-innovation and eco-efficiency are only potential dimensions of comprehensive organisational sustainability reform, this research provides insight into how engaging scientists and engineers with a broader social sustainability agenda might be advanced. Originality/value – The study addresses calls for empirical insights into ways that scientists and engineers can commit to organisational sustainability practices based on the configurations of habitus, capital and organisational field. Keywords Eco-efficiency, Eco-innovation, Sustainable development, R&D scientist, R&D scientists and engineers, Sustainability initiatives Paper type Research paper 1. Introduction More than three decades after the Brundtland Report (United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987) was released, the path towards sustainability at different organisational, national and international levels remains unclear. Nonetheless, organisations increasingly claim to be focussed on not only traditional sustainability initiatives such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices but also new initiatives such as environmental technologies, eco-efficiency and eco-innovation (Hoang, 2018; Nguyen et al., 2019). These practices can be understood briefly as the development and introduction of innovative products and processes that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining business efficiently. Insofar as these developments have proven to contribute to sustainability, it is crucial to understand the roles of primary practitioners – the research and development (R&D) scientists and engineers in organisations adopting these initiatives. Thinh Gia Hoang is based at the School of Business and Management, RMIT University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. Cuong Van Hoang is based at National Economics University, Hanoi, Viet Nam. Nam Hai Vu is based at the Ho Chi Minhh City University of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. Giang Tinh Ngo Nguyen and Thanh Thi Huong Nguyen are both based at Eastern International University, Binh duong, Viet Nam. Received 26 October 2019 Revised 17 December 2019 Accepted 17 December 2019 DOI 10.1108/SRJ-10-2019-0360 © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1747-1117 j SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY JOURNAL j