The Role of Corporations in Achieving Ecological Sustainability

Dong Q., Balsalobre-Lorente D., Syed Q.R.

Ghosh S.

Chou C., Yang K., Schwarz G.M.

As one of society’s grand challenges, climate change increasingly presents unprecedented consequences for businesses. Despite assumptions on the effects of climate change, the relationship between carbon emissions and the strength of a firm’s performance is unclear, subject to enduring debate, with mixed outcomes. This article provides a critical view of this relationship, focusing directly on firm growth, market value, and climate change effects. It considers the performance paradox—a contradiction between a course of action and an inability or unwillingness to manage, alter, or problem solve this awareness—derived from increased carbon emissions, and incorporates the effects of industry clockspeed and open innovation. Observing a sample of 640 high-tech manufacturing firms over a 7-year period, producing 4480 firm-year observations, and applying two-stage least squares (2SLS) panel regression modeling, we find that better firm growth generates more carbon emissions that impact negatively on market value of the firm. The study indicates that the positive relationship between prior growth and carbon emissions is more pronounced in high clockspeed industries, while firms that actively collaborate with partners to innovate weaken the negative relationship between carbon emissions and market performance. These findings help explain why despite increased attention on climate change strategies, firms do not (or cannot) actively reduce their carbon emissions while they are profitable. Implications of findings provide a pragmatic avenue to avoid this performance paradox. JEL Classification: M14, Q54

Sahibzada U.F., Meoli M., Aslam N.

Purpose This study aims to develop a measurement instrument for green internal marketing (GIM) in a knowledge-intensive industry (Higher Education). Design/methodology/approach This study consists of four phases, using a mixed-methods design. Study 1 used a systematic literature review, interviews and focus group discussions (n = 30) to identify five categories and 29 initial items. Study 2 used exploratory factor analysis for scale purification and refinement. The study confirmed a 20-item and five-dimensional scale. The final data collection (n = 576) was conducted for Study 3 using the quantitative approach and establishing the scale’s predictive validity. Study 4 checked the impact of GIM on knowledge worker performance using Smart-PLS 4. Findings This study found that GIM has five dimensions, which work as a catalyst in the knowledge-intensive sector. The study also found a significant impact of GIM on knowledge worker performance. Originality/value The study’s innovative approach involves the development of a multidimensional scale and an examination of its effect on the identification of variables by GIM, specifically on the academic performance of knowledge workers in higher education. The study provides valuable recommendations for professionals and academics on achieving knowledge worker performance within higher education institutions effectively.

Sohaee N., Farsad R.

Cao J., Huang Z., Liew M.

Galvez Y.B., Sorbo M.D., Colicchia C., Creazza A.

Li X., You J., Qing Y.

Sharma M., Kaushal D., Joshi S., Luthra S.

ABSTRACTAs global businesses face the difficulties of climate change and the intricacies of Industry 4.0, the demand for resilient supply chains and sustainable practices becomes increasingly urgent. This study examines the effect of parallel mediated external and internal low‐carbon supply chain integration on the resilience of firms influenced by Industry 4.0. We present a resource‐based conceptual framework for mediated external and internal low‐carbon supply chain integration, incorporating the moderating effect of supplier environmental commitment on firm resilience, utilising a quantitative methodology. The study indicates that a supplier's environmental commitment influences a firm's resilience in the integration of a low‐carbon supply chain. Furthermore, findings indicate that external low‐carbon supply chain integration enhances corporate resilience when suppliers display substantial environmental commitment, whereas internal integration is considerably less advantageous. This work advances existing knowledge by elucidating the theoretical interplay of the integration of external low‐carbon supply chains, supplier commitment to environmental sustainability, and resilience within Industry 4.0‐driven enterprises. The study examines the practical implications and suggests potential research avenues to further understanding in this important domain. The results indicate that companies should aim to cultivate supplier relationships and contracts to guarantee environmental management inside the supply chain.

Tiwary K.

Today, the adoption of environmental policies has gained significance in the corporate scenario not only for sustainability but to also improve organizational dynamics. These environmental policies are discussed in terms of their effects on the overall performance, satisfaction, and general well-being of the employees, thus forming the company culture and behavior. Another objective of this book chapter is to come up with a developmental model, other than what exists so far, which will study the impact of environmental policies using Organizational image as a moderator. Also, including how employee motivation, organizational communication, and leadership can create an enabling environment for sustainable development. This book chapter aims at offering useful insights and recommendations to companies keen to exploit environmental efforts not only as a means of complying with the requirement but also as a stimulant for a motivated and engaged workforce in the modern corporate climate.

Yajman S.G.

This extensive paper discusses the implementation of sustainability in organizations from the perspectives of Green Management, Organizational Behaviour, and Human Resource Management. It briefly introduces the concept of environmental sustainability in business and the growing concern with management initiatives and actions that can reverse climate change and depletion of resources. The paper outlines prominent aspects of environmental responsibility like energy and energy conservation, raw material and waste management, supply chain and procurement, and environmental design. This supports the concept of OB, to demonstrate the idea that organisational culture must promote sustainable behaviour patterns through staff and management buy-in. Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) is discussed throughout the article where possibility to implement green aspects in recruitment, training and performance appraisal is analyzed. Details of the actual-life successful sustainable management and practices by Interface Inc., Patagonia and Unilever are presented. Leadership in relation to green management principles and the integration of sustainability within the businesses' functioning is also discussed in the paper. The purpose of evaluating green management initiatives is reviewed based on Key Performance Indicators (KPI). Last, the paper discusses the directions for the future enhancement of green management, concluding that organizations should adopt green measures to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of future economy and business.

Vargas-Hernandez J.G., González-Ávila F.J., Vargas-González O.C.

This study has the purpose to analyze the implications of sustainable development with corporate social responsibility from the assumption that uncertainty and complexity of sustainable development challenge the economic, social and environmental dimensions and call for a shift in paradigms. The method employed is the metacognitive and meta-analytical, reflective and descriptive based on conceptual, theoretical and empirical review. It is concluded that corporate social responsibility is an imperative requirement for sustainable development.

Mer A.

Dişci T.

Critical Management Studies (CMS), as in Critical Theory, follows a historical-contextual interpretation of reality as opposed to Mainstream Management Theory, which is based on a positivist reflection of what exists. In this context, CMS is an appropriate tool for examining the nature of “development” in order to reveal externalities and their social impacts that are not included in the current paradigm. In this study, based on the Green Deal, Emission Trading System (ETS) and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) -which are the main economic instruments of the practices implemented in the European Union (EU) within the scope of studies on the ecological pillar of sustainable development today- the impact of new institutionalizations on Türkiye through EU-Türkiye bilateral trade is examined based on the CMS. In this direction, it is aimed to reveal the externalities that emerge and are expected to emerge in the activities of the institutions in Türkiye within the scope of sustainable development and EU rules.

Waris I., Ahmed W.

This study aims to understand how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) dimensions influence proactive environmental strategies and Triple Bottom Line (TPL) of manufacturing firms. The quantitative approach has been used in this study and data was collected through a questionnaire, and 135 responses were gathered from Marketing and operations managers working in manufacturing industries. All the hypothesis was tested through Partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Out of the 15 hypotheses, 10 were significant and 5 were insignificant. CSR to Employee (CSREM) had insignificant impact on environment sustainability and development (ESD), Eco-branding (ECB), and Eco-efficiency (ECE). The relationships between CSR to the consumer (CSRCS) with ESD and CSR to Environment (CSREN) with eco-branding had insignificant effects, while all the other CSR practices had a significance impact. ESD, eco-efficiency and eco-branding all had a positive relationship with triple bottom line. The study’s findings indicate that CSR dimensions can improve manufacturing firms environmental, social and economic performance through ESD, ECB and ECE. Therefore, the results indicate that incorporating environmental strategies in CSR dimensions are essential to achieve TPL.