Polarstern AG has determined that there is no professional platform for exchanges in sustainable management. This paper will provide a basis for the definition of needs concerning information in sustainable management, and what kind of platform might be appropriate. Objectives are to get an overview of Swiss sustainable development players and define groups depending on their characteristics and motives. Then, their requirements and needs for information and platforms about sustainable management are gathered and used to analyse if there is a gap that could be filled with a new platform.

To obtain an overview of the players, two preliminary interviews with experts were conducted. After defining a potential target group, the next qualitative research step was done by conducting semi-structured interviews with persons involved in sustainability topics within their companies and an association. With the interviews representing the economic side, the swiss research initiative as the primary literature representing the scientific side, and the association acting as a bridge between the two, different aspects of priorities for information are discussed.

Based on the interviews, there is no demand for more information. However, there is a need for a platform or medium to filter the flood of information circulating. Further, there is a preference for an online platform, instead of a print media. Interviewees stated that an update interval of once every month to three months for the media would be appropriated. Concerning the content of the offer, detailed information on the application of strategies, models, and comparison of the different options would support companies to find the relevant information for them. The need for information filtering might be achieved with associations providing industry-specific information and Polarstern AG overall sustainable management information. Further research on the standard of knowledge of associations is needed, as, according to some interviewees, not all associations might be on an appropriate level.