Environmental Sustainability Orientation Research Articles

The Influence of Environmental Sustainability Orientations on organizational Performance: A Review

This comprehensive review addresses a critical research gap concerning the relationship between Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), Environmental Sustainability Orientation (ESO), and organizational performance. The study advocates for future research to delve into this uncharted territory, providing valuable insights for organizations and policymakers to promote entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices. It suggests a deeper examination of EO, specifically Innovativeness, Proactiveness, and Risk-Taking, as independent variables, alongside organizational performance as the dependent variable. The review emphasizes the pivotal mediating role of ESO, highlighting its strategic significance in differentiating firms and enhancing performance. It affirms the positive influence of EO on ESO, subsequently improving organizational performance. The review stresses the managerial implications of integrating EO dimensions into strategies for a competitive advantage, along with the importance of embracing ESO for reputation enhancement and cost reduction through eco-friendly practices. The study encourages future researchers to explore additional EO variables and utilize diverse data analysis tools to enhance understanding of the intersection of entrepreneurial and sustainability orientations.

Exploring the relationship between university students’ programme of study and orientation to environmental sustainability: the case of Al Baha University

AbstractUniversities are urged to promote environmental sustainability on campus and in nearby communities due to the growing desire for a sustainable society and their unique role as change agents. This research study explores the relationship between university students' programme of study and their orientation to environmental sustainability et al. Baha University in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, the study sought to determine whether specific academic disciplines shape undergraduate students' attitudes and engagement with sustainable practices, and if variations exist across disciplines at the university. The study used a Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) to gather data on the association between students’ fields of study and orientation to environmental sustainability from a sample of 943 students at Al Baha University in Saudi Arabia who were randomly chosen from various programmes and levels of study. The data was collected face-to-face and electronically in 2021 and analysed using the Pearson Chi-Square (Χ2) test for independence at a 5% level of probability through IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21.0 software. The findings revealed a significant association between the university student’s programme of study and their orientation to environmental sustainability. Students from environmentally-focused disciplines exhibited higher levels of environmental sustainability orientation compared to others. The implications of these findings suggest the need for tailored sustainability initiatives and curriculum interventions across academic disciplines to foster a culture of sustainability within universities. By integrating sustainability-focused courses, and facilitating faculty development, educational institutions can inspire and empower students across all fields of study to actively contribute to environmental sustainability.

Competences Associated to Sustainable Leadership Practices: A Study Carried Out in the Public City Administration of Fazenda Rio Grande, State of Paraná

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to identify the competences associated to sustainable leadership practices in the public city administration of Fazenda Rio Grande, Paraná. Literature review: The study addresses the concepts of professional competences and sustainable leadership and how they can be applied to the public sector from the perspective of public city administrators. Method: This is a qualitative and exploratory study that was carried out in the City Hall of Fazenda Rio Grande, Paraná. It derived out of the analysis of official documents and semi-structured interviews conducted with eleven public city administrators. Results and conclusion: The study has revealed that the necessary competences for sustainable leadership practices in the public administration of Fazenda Rio Grande, Paraná are: public resource management, strategic planning, focusing on citizens, people management, environmental sustainability orientation, and environmental awareness. Discussion: The study can provide public administrators with a way to reflect upon their practices, which can positively impact the improvement of their competences and conduct related to the performance of their duties, along with working as a model for public policies characterized by social transformation. Originality/value: Identifying the competences associated with sustainable leadership practices in public administration facilitates reflection about the enhancement or development of attributes that are essential for improving the quality of life and well-being of citizens, along with promoting sustainable territorial development at the local level.

Environmental Sustainability Orientation, Reward-Based Crowdfunding, and Venture Capital: The Mediating Role of Crowdfunding Performance for New Technology Ventures

Extant literature has investigated the effects of new ventures’ environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) on the crowdfunding (CF) performance and on the ability to secure venture capital, separately and with mixed results. In this article, we address the study of these relationships simultaneously. Specifically, we examine how the presence of ESO features influences new technology-based ventures’ ability to secure funding in reward-based CF campaigns and how the CF performance mediates the effect of such features on attracting subsequent venture capital. Using a sample of new hardware ventures that have launched a CF campaign on Kickstarter, we document a negative effect of the presence of ESO on CF performance. We also find that, for new hardware ventures using reward-based CF, the presence of ESO has a positive direct effect on the likelihood of receiving subsequent venture capital after CF, as well as a negative indirect effect due to its negative impact on the performance in CF.

The local agri-food system of the date palm in Tafilalet (Morocco): towards the territorialisation and sustainability

The present work aims to analyze the dynamics of an oasis territory known historically by the agriculture of the date palm, through the territorialization of a localized agri-food system (LAFS) in the phoeniculture sector. This territory is Tafilalet located in the region of Daraâ-Tafilalet in southeast Morocco. From there, to analyze this relationship between the territoriality of this LAFS and the dynamics of Tafilalet we adopt a qualitative approach based mainly on dozens of interviews with different local actors of the LAFS of the date palm in Tafilalet (LAFS-DPT). In terms of results, we presented the four levers of territorialization of the LAFS of the date palm in Tafilalet (physical, cognitive, historical and interpersonal, and institutional), and their economic, social, and environmental impacts on the territory. This shows a territorial dynamic with four figures (production, valorization, quality, and commercialization), supported by an important environmental sustainability orientation of the system, and thus an orientation of the LAFS of the date palm in Tafilalet towards the model of a territorialized food system (TFS).

Young peoples’ environmentally sustainable tourism attitude and responsible behavioral intention

FinalidadLos impactos medioambientales del turismo se consideran desequilibrados. La implementación de la sostenibilidad medioambiental se centra en restablecer el equilibrio mediante un comportamiento responsable con el medio ambiente. Estudios recientes señalan que la Generación Z muestra niveles divergentes de comportamiento responsable con el medio ambiente en comparación con otras generaciones, pero también presenta diferencias intra-generacionales. Este estudio explora las razones y explicaciones subyacentes a sus actitudes e intenciones de comportamiento.Diseño/metodología/enfoqueCuatro grupos de discusión con jóvenes de la Generación Z permiten profundizar en su orientación hacia la sostenibilidad medioambiental.ConclusionesLos resultados de este estudio evidencian que la actitud medioambiental de la Generación Z está provocada por la presión social, medios sociales, así como por la pandemia del COVID-19. En cuanto a su intención de comportamiento turístico, se concentran predominantemente en los viajes respetuosos con el clima y la movilidad in situ, evitar residuos, así como en hacer hincapié en la sostenibilidad económica y social. Al destacar la responsabilidad que la Generación Z atribuye a la oferta y la demanda, además de inculcar la demanda para la creación de condiciones marco por parte de gobiernos y destinos, se amplía el alcance del conocimiento sobre la sostenibilidad medioambiental.Originalidad/valorEn particular, este estudio enriquece la investigación sobre el comportamiento responsable con el medio ambiente al incorporar la perspectiva de la Generación Z y profundizar en la comprensión del comportamiento de esta generación. Asimismo, los resultados de este estudio permiten desarrollar implicaciones para los responsables de las políticas turísticas.

The effect of firms’ environmentally sustainable practices on economic performance

Companies are pressured by stakeholders to protect the environment while improving their economic performance. This study aims to further explore the impact of environmentally sustainable practices (ESP) on firm performance (FP), by considering the effects of green employee integration (GEI), environmental sustainability (ES), and employee environmental orientation (EEO). To test the set of hypotheses defined for this article, a closed-ended questionnaire survey was conducted with employees working in the manufacturing sector in China. Data from 325 employees were analysed using SmartPLS 4 software. The results demonstrate that environmentally sustainable practices (ESP) have a direct and significant influence on GEI, ES, and FP. In addition, GEI has a significant direct impact on ES and FP, and ES has a direct impact on FP. This research also demonstrated the partial mediation of GEI and ES and the moderation of EEO on the ESP–FP relationship. This research advances the scope of the ability, motivation, and opportunity theory and the social identity theory. Results suggest that managers should adopt, implement, and promote green practices, as this leads to involving employees in activities that can lessen adverse impacts on society and improve firm’s economic performance, including in terms of reputation and profits.

Beyond Climate Ready? A History of Seattle Public Utilities’ Ongoing Evolution from Environmental and Climate Risk Management to Integrated Sustainability

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a municipal water supply, drainage, wastewater, and solid waste management utility in Seattle, Washington. This utility has explored the impacts of climate change and supported climate adaptation work since 1997. Faced with threats such as sea level rise, drought, wildfires, and extreme precipitation events, SPU has worked to “mainstream” climate science throughout its strategic planning, capital investments, management, operations, staffing, institutional culture, and more. This paper provides a descriptive, chronologically ordered account of how SPU’s climate-change-related work has evolved to become an aspect of a broader social and environmental sustainability orientation, aimed at resilience against climate impacts, but also towards improving greenhouse gas emissions reduction, carbon sequestration, water and waste circularity, green infrastructure, ecosystem and species stewardship, green and blue workforce development, affordability, an intergenerational perspective, and environmental justice. We frame this transition as a movement from a core focus on risk management toward a proactive and integrated mode of sustainable operations. While SPU’s journey has been enabled by a co-productive approach to climate services, we speculate on how this model can be broadened and diversified to help SPU pursue their goal of becoming a sustainable organization. It is our hope that this paper sparks reflection and discussion within the climate services community, amongst utilities, municipalities, and policy entrepreneurs that are interested in sustainability.

Environmental sustainability orientation and ambidextrous green innovation: do the roles of women on corporate boards matter?

Environmental sustainability orientation and ambidextrous green innovation: do the roles of women on corporate boards matter?

A Study on the Effects of Consumers' Perception and Purchasing Behavior for Second-Hand Luxury Goods by Perceived Value

Finding insights into consumers’ perceptions and behavior regarding purchasing second-hand luxury goods could promote the vigorous and sound development of the second-hand luxury industry. The research objectives included: (1) probing into the relationship between consumers’ perceptions and purchase behavior regarding second-hand luxury goods; (2) discussing the current state and future trends of the market for second-hand luxury goods; (3) learning about consumers’ perceived value of second-hand luxury goods so that it can be applied to other types of commodities in the future to develop corresponding second-hand markets; and (4) analyzing the differences between factors that influence different types of consumers’ perceptions and purchase behavior regarding second-hand luxury goods and allowing second-hand dealers in the industry to use them as a reference. This study discussed relevant studies and theories on second-hand luxury goods, perceived value, and consumer behavior, and shed light on the follow-up research and development. It used the method of semi-structured expert interviews of the respondents. The outline of the expert interviews was created according to the current state and future development of the second-hand luxury market, consumer behaviors, and consumers’ perceived value of second-hand luxury goods. The content of the interviews was sampled, analyzed, and summarized according to the research scope to develop a questionnaire for consumers of the survey. Factor analysis was used to carry out statistical data analyses on the statistics converted from the collected questionnaire data. This study sorted out the main factors that consumers consider when purchasing second-hand luxury goods, and at the same time learned how consumers’ purchase behavior is shaped by a good’s perceived value. The factors under consideration included the purchase intention orientation, commodity quality orientation, market cycle orientation, consumption value orientation, individual condition orientation, and environmental sustainability orientation.

An Attention-Based View on Environmental Management: The Influence of Entrepreneurial Orientation, Environmental Sustainability Orientation, and Competitive Intensity on Green Product Innovation in Swedish Small Manufacturing Firms

Green product innovation (GPI) is a cornerstone of environmental management. Recent reviews on GPI have shown that research on GPI antecedents has mainly focused on identifying specific factors influencing the use of GPI. However, most studies lack a comprehensive theoretical explanation of the findings. In this study, which is based on a sample of 303 Swedish small manufacturing firms, antecedents to GPI are examined using the attention-based view of the firm. Two attentional perspectives, namely, entrepreneurial orientation and environmental sustainability orientation, were found to positively influence the use of GPI. Moreover, situated attention, in terms of competitive intensity, strengthens the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and GPI. The study highlights the usefulness of an attention-based view on GPI and environmental management in small firms.

Environmental sustainability orientation and corporate social responsibility influence on environmental performance of small and medium enterprises: The mediating effect of green capability

AbstractDespite the increasing research to determine the influence of environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on environmental performance, our understanding is to see the mediating effect of green capability between ESO, CSR, and environmental performance is lacking. Data were collected by using survey questionnaires from top management of the construction and manufacturing industry in Malaysia. A total of 377 questionnaires become part of the final analysis. The researchers used SmartPLS 3.2.8 and SPSS 25.0 for analysis. The structural equation modeling (SEM) was followed to determine the variables validity and path relationships. The findings elucidate that ESO and green capability are significantly associated with environmental performance. In contrast, CSR has no direct influence on environmental performance. Moreover, ESO and CSR significantly influence green capability. Green capability mediates between ESO, CSR, and environmental performance.

Stakeholder Green Pressure and New Product Performance in Emerging Countries: A Cross‐country Study

AbstractDespite the burgeoning literature on stakeholder green pressure, research is scarce on how it influences eco‐product innovation and new product performance. This article examines stakeholder green pressures as antecedents of eco‐product innovation and new product performance in firms operating in resource‐constrained countries. Using data gathered from surveys in Vietnam (N = 183) and Ghana (N = 217), we find that the positive effects of stakeholder green pressures on new product performance are serially mediated by environmental sustainability orientation and eco‐product innovation. Our findings contribute to ongoing efforts to clarify the mechanisms channelling stakeholder pressures into new product performance in resource‐constrained environments.

Linking natural resources and performance of small agricultural businesses: Do entrepreneurial orientation and environmental sustainability orientation matter?

AbstractIt is still unclear how the natural environment influences the firm's performance. It is needed to understand how business activities that strongly depend on natural resources, as it is agriculture, manage their scarcity and uncertainty. Based on a sample of 150 small agricultural businesses, hierarchical regression was used to analyze how entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) can shape the influence of natural resources on environmental performance (EP) and financial performance (FP). Supported by the Natural Resource‐Dependence Theory (NRDT), our study found that natural resources availability is determinant for FP. At the same time, EP depends on Land but not on water and climatic conditions. The results also support the resource‐based view (RBV), since EO and ESO are mediators in the association between natural resources and FP, representing powerful internal responses to agricultural businesses face the natural environment constraints.

Being pro‐environmentally oriented SMEs: Understanding the entrepreneur's explicit and implicit power motives

AbstractThe increased number of environmental problems caused by business activities put higher pressures on entrepreneurs to implement pro‐environmental policies within their businesses. However, studies show that SMEs are less engaged with sustainable and pro‐environmental policies. Hence, it is important to understand the barriers and drivers of implementing a pro‐environmental strategy in SMEs from an entrepreneur's perspective. In a study with Indonesian SME owners, we find that environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) is driven by an entrepreneur's explicit and implicit power motives. Using polynomial regression with surface analysis, we also reveal that a high level of SME's ESO is affected by power motive discrepancy. We discuss implementations for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and educational programs in entrepreneurship.

Sustainable Development Practices Implemented by the Community Partners of San Beda University (SBU)

Sustainable development is a flagship subject of the stewardship ideology, an advocacy principle and challenge in the business implementation across the enterprises, big or small, all over the world. With the dynamic global scenario, the HEIs in the Philippines need to teach and support these sustainable development not just through its academic programs but to its community extension actions. To be able for San Beda University to do its responsibility in teaching and implementing sustainability, there is an immediate need to assess the current sustainability practices of the community partners of Community Engagement Center (CEC).The main objective of this research study is to identify the sustainability practices of the five community partners of CEC-SBU based on Elkington’s model of sustainability wherein it is three pillar model namely, environmental, economic and social sustainability requires equal attention. This study also aimed to determine the best practices of these community partners. The data collected are based on semi-structured interviews and field visits to the community partners. The results showed that the common SD practices identified are water utilization (under environmental dimension); maintain good quality of products (under economic dimension); and generation of employment and income, product safety, safety standard of work, organizational ethics and social interaction (under social dimension). The best SD practices were also evaluated. The study confirms the proposition that community partners of CEC-SBU shows low level of implementation in the environmental sustainability dimension. The results of this research can serve as a reference and guide in the community engagement agenda and activities of all SBU faculties, administrators, service personnel and students towards sustainability. The researchers recommend that CEC-SBU should conduct activities and other interventions for the community partners that enable adoption of SD practices especially those under environmental sustainability dimension. Future researchers must undertake further studies that describe, evaluate and measure the sustainable practices of community partners of CEC and SMEs in specific industries.ReferencesAldaba, R. (2008). SMEs in the Philippine manufacturing industry and globalization: Meeting the development challenges. Philippine Institute for Development Studies Discussion Paper Series 2008-15. https://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/ris/dps/pidsdps0815.pdfCommission on Higher Education (2016). Pathways to equity, relevance and advancement in research, innovation, and extension in Philippine Higher Education. (Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order 52 Series 2016). https://ched.gov.ph/wpcontent/uploads/2017/10/CMO-52-s.-2016.pdfHeizer, J., & Render, B. (2017). 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Coevolution of environmental sustainability orientation and strategic alliance learning in green supply chain management

Abstract The main aim of this paper is to show how green supply chain (SC) environmental sustainability orientation and strategic alliance learning coevolve over time. Our position is that the level of interfirm learning is a determinant of the formations and mastery mechanisms evolving in a green SC. Therefore, this study discusses the environmental sustainability of the learning processes of firms’ alliances during the life cycle of the alliances. This is done in order to encourage firms to follow green innovation and green SCs through enhancing their environmental performance and increasing their competitive advantage in the global market. In addition, this study develops a research structure and test hypotheses on the basis of survey data from 342 Taiwanese firms listed on the stock market. The results indicate that green knowledge acquisition plays a prominent role in the performance of firms’ alliances, especially when implemented in a green SC management (SCM) context. Moreover, according to one of the main findings, as companies evolve through the different phases of the alliance life cycle, their situation shows high potential for creating knowledge sharing through their exploration capabilities. Finally, when firms focus their internal organizations on learning and environmental requirements, they become better able to expand their learning capacity as well as to build and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage.

Can adopting ambitious environmental sustainability initiatives lead to business failures? An analytical framework

AbstractDrawing on environmental sustainability orientation and business failure literature, we examined a thought‐provoking question: “Can adopting ambitious environmental sustainability initiatives lead to business failures and under what conditions is this more likely?” To address this question, we developed an analytical framework that provides new insights into how voluntary environmental initiatives affect the business environment and firm competitiveness. This paper also yields new insights on the features that emerge at adopting environmental initiatives–business failure nexus: from greening to growing, from greening to sustaining, from greening to constraining, and from greening to collapsing. Accordingly, the study accounts for the conditions under sustainability initiatives, and a variety of complex contextual factors are likely to culminate in closures of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Although many top executives, entrepreneurs, and managers view implementation of environmental initiatives as tantamount to superior firm performance, the paper highlighted the effects of resource constraints and vulnerabilities of SMEs and new firms during the early stage of development, and therefore, pursuing aggressive green initiatives could minimize their life chances. Implications for scholars and practising managers are discussed.

Environmental sustainability orientation and performance of family and nonfamily firms

AbstractDespite the growing research evidence on the effect of environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) on firm outcomes, contingent factors that may influence the strength of this relationship have received little scholarly attention. In this study, we use insights from the literature on ESO and family business to introduce family status and firm age as moderators in the ESO‐performance linkage. Using time‐lagged data from 253 small and medium‐sized enterprises in Ghana, we found the impact of ESO on firm performance is amplified for nonfamily firms but not significant for family firms. Our evidence suggests it is stronger among older firms than younger ones. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Stakeholder integration, environmental sustainability orientation and financial performance

Despite the growing research on the influence of stakeholder integration on organizational outcomes, our understanding of the specific firm-level conditions that may mediate the relationship between stakeholder integration and financial performance is lacking. Using primary data gathered from 233 small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana, we found empirical support for our contention that the link between stakeholder integration and financial performance is mediated by a firm's environmental sustainability orientation (ESO). In addition, our study demonstrated that competitive intensity moderates the indirect relationship between stakeholder integration and financial performance in such a way that the indirect effect through environmental sustainability orientation is stronger for higher levels of industry competition. We discuss theoretical and managerial implications of these findings.