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1 – 10 of over 17000Sandeep Singh, Priyanka Sharma, Nameeta Garg and Rajni Bala
This paper aims to study the mediating role of perceived environmental responsibility on the relationship between environmental sensitivity and pro-environmental behavioural…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the mediating role of perceived environmental responsibility on the relationship between environmental sensitivity and pro-environmental behavioural intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample of the study was 256 respondents. The snowball sampling technique was applied to reach the maximum number of respondents. The data was collected with three standardized scales. It was conducted on the general mass in the northern region of India. The hypotheses were tested by applying partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The study exhibits a significant positive effect of environmental sensitivity (ES) on environmental responsibility (ER) and environmental behavioural intentions (EBI). Environmental responsibility has a significant positive effect on environmental behavioural intentions. As expected, environmental responsibility partially mediates the relationship between environmental sensitivity and environmental behaviour intentions.
Research limitations/implications
The study has tested the theory-driven hypotheses and confirmed the indirect effect of environmental sensitivity on environmental behavioural intentions. The sample of the study is mixed with various units such as students and professionals. The sample was not represented in any particular section of society. The responses of the respondents were measured at a five-point Likert scale. For better results, the seven-point Likert scale can be better. The study can be replicated in another region of India. Multi-group analysis can be a better scope of research in the future. The model can be compared based on demographic information, region, etc.
Practical implications
The government can rectify or make various policies on environmental protection based on the findings. The results can be useful for identifying training needs for the general mass. The study suggests that the government can organize various seminars on specific issues at the general platform. Overall, the study is also useful in policymaking and implementation regarding environmental protection.
Originality/value
As per the best of our knowledge, this is the first study exploring a causal link between environmental sensitivity, environmental responsibility and environmental protection conducted in India. The observed mediation effect of the ES on the EBI through ER adds new knowledge on the topic. As per the methodology point of view, the latest guidelines regarding PLS-SEM and mediation are followed, which can be useful for research in the future. Overall, the findings of the study exhibit an important contribution to the academic, methodology and general mass.
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Nelson Oly Ndubisi, Obaid Al-Shuridah and Celine Capel
Premised on the shortage of research on the role of organisational mindfulness in promoting environmental sustainability, this study evaluates the effects of organisational…
Abstract
Purpose
Premised on the shortage of research on the role of organisational mindfulness in promoting environmental sustainability, this study evaluates the effects of organisational mindfulness and mindful organising on environmental sustainability outcomes in the critical case of multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in the oil and gas sector in the Arabian Gulf.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the (oil and gas sector) MNES. A total of 92 completed responses were received. The respondents include executives, senior managers and directors. The data were analysed using SmartPLS software. The measurement and structural models were evaluated.
Findings
The models show that four (of five) dimensions of organisational mindfulness (defined as organisational goals, desires and strategies) and mindful organising (defined as organisational tactics and practices) are significantly related. Mindful organising is significantly associated with more environmentally sustainable outcomes. But contrary to expectations sensitivity to the local environment did not have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between mindful organising and environmental sustainability initiatives and outcomes of these MNEs.
Research limitations/implications
The paper presents several hypotheses, most of which were confirmed. Direct effects of organizational mindfulness, mindful organizing were confirmed. Environmental sensitivity has a direct effect rather than a moderating effect (as hypothesized) on environmental sustainability.
Practical implications
Environmental sustainability can be approached by MNEs in the oil and gas sector by among other factors, increased environmental sensitivity, signalling environmental behaviours the organisation expects, rewards and supports and putting in place a social process that is reliant on extensive and continuous interactions between individuals and among teams regarding these environmental expectations.
Social implications
Social and environmental performance of MNEs can be improved through mindfulness-based approaches, effects of which can be transmitted through a social process that relies on continuous real-time communication and interactions among members through formal and informal interactions during meetings, briefings, work and play. Sensitivity and respect for the host community and environment can bolster brand image and social relations.
Originality/value
The paper addresses the greening issues surrounding the largely unexplored context of the Arabian Gulf’s oil and gas sector. It demonstrates that ongoing greening communications and interactions through briefings, meetings, updates and in teams' ongoing work are some of the mechanisms for achieving sustainability. Also environmental sensitivity is a direct driver rather than a contingent factor of sustainability.
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Japan applies a quasi-mandatory approach to corporate environmental reporting by defining the desired norm through formal law and guidelines and pushing large companies to be role…
Abstract
Purpose
Japan applies a quasi-mandatory approach to corporate environmental reporting by defining the desired norm through formal law and guidelines and pushing large companies to be role models regardless of their sensitivity to environmental impacts. This study aims to analyze the change in Japanese companies reporting quality to justify this approach’s capability to produce normativity of environmental reporting.
Design/methodology/approach
This study examines the change in corporate environmental reporting quality and the effect of company characteristics on it. The analysis focuses on 88 companies for 2008, 2013 and 2018, resulting in 264 company-year observations.
Findings
The result shows a continuous upward trend, although it is unsatisfactory regarding the comparability and free from error characteristics. Then, company size positively affects the quality, and sensitivity to environmental impacts does not. Overall, the findings indicate that Japan is moving toward normativity through the quasi-mandatory approach and the norm entrepreneurship of its large companies, regardless of their sensitivity to environmental impacts.
Research limitations/implications
This study could relieve the belief that it is necessary to apply a mandatory approach to improve reporting quality and enrich views on the effect of company characteristics which mainly used only the legitimacy perspective.
Originality/value
This study proposes a more comprehensive measure of environmental reporting quality. The measure is based on the qualitative characteristics of useful information from the most influential accounting standard-setting bodies. In addition, the effect of company characteristics on the quality is explained based on the norm entrepreneurship view instead of the legitimacy perspective.
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Mohammed Masum Billah, Syed Shah Alam, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Mohd Helmi Ali, Zafir Khan Mohamed Makhbul and Mohd Fairuz Md Salleh
The survival and growth of the ready-made garments (RMGs) sectors in Bangladesh depend on sustainable supply chain performance (SSCP). The purpose of this study is to analyse the…
Abstract
Purpose
The survival and growth of the ready-made garments (RMGs) sectors in Bangladesh depend on sustainable supply chain performance (SSCP). The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of Internet of Things (IoT), supply chain collaboration and ethical sensitivity on SSCP. Also, supply chain dynamism was tested as a moderator.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework of this study has been developed to enrich the understanding of technology usage in the supply chain. In developing the framework, previous studies in the supply chain context were considered. The model was tested by using data collected from 290 executives that were employed by different RMG companies in Bangladesh. This study used a 29-item structured questionnaire measured on a 6-point Likert scale to collect the data. Covariance-based structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to test the data.
Findings
The results showed that there were statistically significant and positive relationships between IoT and supply chain collaboration, social performance, economic performance and environmental performance. Ethical sensitivity also influenced social and economic performance. Supply chain collaboration was found to be related to social, economic and environmental performance. However, no link was found between ethical sensitivity and environmental performance. The result also showed that supply chain dynamism acted as a moderator.
Research limitations/implications
By considering theories and interpreting the results, this study provides some theoretical and practical implications which will enhance the SSCP. The results can also facilitate strategic planning by companies.
Originality/value
This research has identified and analysed the effect of IoT on SSCP in the RMGs industry in Bangladesh where this industry serves as the main economic contributor.
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Yohan Bernard, Laurent Bertrandias and Leila Elgaaied-Gambier
To encourage sustainable consumer practices, public policy makers introduce new ecological measures, including mandatory programmes that require companies to provide environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
To encourage sustainable consumer practices, public policy makers introduce new ecological measures, including mandatory programmes that require companies to provide environmental information about their products, even if the information is not flattering. Few academic studies consider the potential impacts of such mandatory eco-labels on consumer behaviour; the purpose of this paper is to seek to identify conditions in which a generalized eco-label in stores might modify consumers’ purchase choices.
Design/methodology/approach
Two quasi-experimental studies (n=333, 126) manipulate environmental information with a simple, traffic light – shaped eco-label. The measures focus on respondents’ choice or purchasing intentions, perceptions of the environmental harmfulness of each product, and individual characteristics (i.e. environmental concern, price sensitivity, familiarity with environmental information about the product category).
Findings
The presence of an eco-label influences consumers’ beliefs about products’ environmental harm and thus choice. The effect of perceived harmfulness on choice is moderated by environmental concern and price sensitivity, though combined effects arise for only one of the two product categories tested (dish soap, not yoghurt). With a third product category (paper towels), Study 2 confirms the influence of familiarity with environmental information.
Research limitations/implications
Familiarity with environmental information accounts for some differences across product categories, but other factors also come into play. These results must be interpreted carefully due to the use of a fictive eco-label.
Originality/value
This paper examines the potential effects of a generalized, mandatory programme. It also addresses the lack of consistent label effectiveness across product categories, with a possible explanation based on perceived familiarity with environmental information.
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Rajni Bala, Sandeep Singh and Kulwant Kumar Sharma
Environment-friendly behaviour is essential for a sustainable development. The study is an attempt to fill the research gap by analysing the mediating role of environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
Environment-friendly behaviour is essential for a sustainable development. The study is an attempt to fill the research gap by analysing the mediating role of environmental sensitivity (ES) and environmental attitude (EA) on the relationship between environmental knowledge (EK) and environmental behavioural intention (EBI). It aims to investigate the direct as well as indirect relationship between EK, ES, EA and EBI.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from 466 university students representing northern region of India. The use of purposive sampling technique helped to reach the maximum number of respondents. The hypothesis was tested by applying partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
It was found that the relationship between EK and EBI was sequentially mediated by ES and EA. The study provides a model which would be instrumental in protecting the environment. It describes how the behaviour intentions of youth come into existence from EK.
Practical implications
The study is quite useful for making training schedules regarding environment protection specifically for the students. The study has various implications for the society as well. As the young students are a significant part of the society, the social communities can use this model to understand the various needs of the youth. It is likely to provide additional EK to the youth. The tested model explains how EK converts into EBI. The government and non-government agencies can use the model for chalking out environment protection strategy at the local as well as national level.
Originality/value
It is believed that this is the first study of its kind which highlights the causal links between EK, ES, EA and EBI. No doubt, certain studies were conducted by ascertaining the relationship between two or three of these variables, but none provided an insight into the direct and indirect relationship between these variables.
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António Dias, Lúcia Lima Rodrigues and Russell Craig
This paper investigates the effect of the global financial crisis (GFC) on the level of corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD) in the annual report and/or CSR report…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates the effect of the global financial crisis (GFC) on the level of corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD) in the annual report and/or CSR report of 36 major listed Portuguese companies in each of the years 2005, 2008 and 2011.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is framed principally by stakeholder theory. Data were explored using thematic content analysis and an index of disclosure calculated by year, industry type (consumer proximity versus environment sensitivity) and category of information.
Findings
Before the GFC, Portuguese listed companies increased their CSRD practices significantly. During the crisis, there was a slight decrease in CSRD. However, this was not as pronounced, as it would otherwise have been because it was counteracted by increased disclosures of company interactions with society, particularly in matters of corruption prevention and community engagement. CSRD was higher for companies with high consumer proximity but did not appear to be influenced by companies’ level of environmental sensitivity.
Originality/value
The results reveal a strong concern by companies for stakeholder management (particularly in respect of community relations) in a period of financial crisis. This study highlights the effect of a company’s proximity to consumers on levels of CSRD.
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Denis Cormier and Irene M. Gordon
The purpose of this study is to examine three electric utilities, two publicly owned and one privately owned. The basis of this examination is legitimacy theory employing a small…
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine three electric utilities, two publicly owned and one privately owned. The basis of this examination is legitimacy theory employing a small sample case‐type approach. In particular we are interested in social and environmental disclosures found in annual reports and how these disclosures differentiate between publicly owned and privately owned enterprises. In our examination we use some traditional efficiency measures but we also employ effectiveness measures relying on the proprietary costs and information costs views in our analysis. Our major findings are that ownership status and size, which are likely to affect legitimacy, influence the amount of social and environmental disclosure. Finally, while environmental disclosures seem to be related to information costs and benefits, this relationship does not seem to hold for social disclosures.
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Vicente Lima Crisóstomo, Fatima de Souza Freire and Maria Rafaela De Oliveira Freitas
Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing interest on corporate social responsibility by a number of constituencies – corporate managers, research scholars…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing interest on corporate social responsibility by a number of constituencies – corporate managers, research scholars, policymakers and investors. In this context, corporate sustainability performance (CSP) has been a central focus of attention. This paper aims to analyze CSP determinants in Brazil, an important emerging market. Firm CSP is proxied by the membership to the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) which comprises environmental, social, economic and governance issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Logit panel data models are estimated for a sample of 2,685 firm-year observations in the period of 2006-2015.
Findings
Results show that firms operating in environmental risky industries tend to be leading CSP firms in Brazil which might be a positive consequence of the Brazilian environmental legislation that could be forcing such firms to be more committed to environmental issues. High ownership concentration reduces the probability of a firm’s membership to the ISE index signaling that large controlling blockholders may not see sustainability and governance concerns as relevant. Larger Brazilian firms and the ones with more growth opportunities tend to be CSP leaders. Additionally, the financial crisis of 2007-2009 had a negative effect on CSP in Brazil.
Practical implications
The implications of the present findings may be of interest to academics and firms’ stakeholders. The fact that firms from environmental risky industries exhibit higher concerns with CSP, probably because of the Brazilian environmental rules that has advanced in the past decades, show the prominence of policymakers in the critical scenario of environmental issues. When designing regulation, policymakers should be conscious of the importance of social issues and pay attention to all ways available to foster firm sustainability concerns. The additional evidence that dominant shareholders do not appear to see CSP as a relevant concern in Brazil points out an agency conflict in which large blockholders’ interests may be prevailing over other stakeholders’ interests. That is important to academics who study the role played by ownership structure on firm’s policies. Furthermore, larger firms, as well as the ones with more growth opportunities, seem to invest in CSP, possibly for seeing it as a way to generate competitive advantage.
Originality/value
As per the authors’ knowledge this is the first paper to point out the relevance of industry environmental sensitivity over firm’s commitment to sustainability issues in Brazil. Additional evidence is provided on the negative effect of ownership concentration on the probability of firm’s membership to the ISE sustainability index using a longer period as well as robust logit panel data model estimates compared to previous studies. Unlike previous works, the paper analyzes the complexity of a sustainability index in the Brazilian market. Such index comprises corporate social responsibility, sustainability and corporate governance concerns. This set of concerns makes it a complex index and requires a deeper rationale for the determinants of CSP as proxied by the membership to it, under the stakeholder and agency theoretical frameworks.
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Qiong Liu, Zhongming Cheng and Min Chen
This study aims to propose the corresponding ways and methods to strengthen the environmental moral education based on scientific research methods, rigorous scientific theory and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose the corresponding ways and methods to strengthen the environmental moral education based on scientific research methods, rigorous scientific theory and the specific content of environmental moral education.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, taking 360 volunteers of Yangtze University, Hubei, as the research samples, the 32-week (3 h per week) experimental research was preceded in this study. Among the 360 distributed copies of questionnaires, 289 copies are valid, with the retrieval rate 80 per cent.
Findings
The research results show significant correlations between environmental education and environmental ethics; environmental ethics and environmental literacy; and environmental education and environmental literacy.
Research limitations/implications
The research on the environmental moral education in China was still in the primary stage, and there were few results that can be used for reference. As a result, there was a lack of empirical research in this paper, which needed to be further expanded and improved.
Practical implications
This study put forward a series of new judgments and new views to solve the problems, which provided a good theoretical basis for the current education and teaching work of the majority of educators and valuable reference for future research on related topics. This study was helpful to further enhance the environmental moral awareness and environmental moral level. Aiming at the problems existing in environmental moral education, this study proposed a series of solutions to make the whole society, schools and families work together for the improvement and development of environmental moral education.
Originality/value
This study was helpful to promote environmental moral quality and level, promote the harmony between man and nature and form a good habit of environmental protection in the whole society.
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