Critical insights from the corporate environmentalism – competitiveness investigations

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically discuss the existing empirical findings of the corporate environmentalism-competitiveness investigations as well as their methodological and cognitive shortcomings.

Design/methodology/approach

An examination of the literature was conducted to identify the most seminal and novel studies exploring the relationship between corporate environmentalism and competitiveness. A range of works were selected and their conceptual frameworks, variables and statistical design were obtained and analysed.

Findings

Although existing studies tend to suggest that corporate environmentalism have a positive (or at least neutral) impact on competitiveness, more detailed and critical examination of these studies shows important methodological, cognitive and logical shortcomings, which challenge these findings.

Research limitations/implications

It is not an exhaustive review of all the existing studies, but rather a selection of the most seminal studies which represent different approaches and methodologies applied as well as a variety of empirical findings.

Practical implications

The study challenges the existing empirical findings arguing that corporate environmentalism positively affects a company's competitiveness. The present paper claims that the ultimate conclusion on the relationship can be determined after at least some of the most significant shortcomings are solved.

Originality/value

The study is based on a broad investigation of existing studies, out of which the most seminal and original papers were selected. In addition, the paper offers suggestions for the future empirical investigations.

Citation

Kudłak, R. (2014), "Critical insights from the corporate environmentalism – competitiveness investigations", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 111-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-11-2012-0072