Social Sustainability Practices Research Articles

The Nexus between Corporate Governance and Economic, Social and Environment (ESE) Practices: Bangladeshi Banking Paradox

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and sustainability practices at 45 scheduled commercial banks in Bangladesh. The study specifically focused on the impact of corporate governance on bank sustainability practices, using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI-4) sustainability guidelines. The resource-based view theory was used to explain the relationship between corporate governance and sustainability practices. Panel data used for this analysis was derived from the annual and sustainability disclosure reports of these banks from 2017 to 2021. This study explores dimensions of corporate governance, including board size, independent board members, CEO duality, gender diversity, audit committees, risk management committees, and audit firm size, highlighting their importance in strategic decision-making. It also explores sustainability practices from a corporate perspective, focusing on economic, social, and environmental performance indicators and emphasizing the importance of strategic resource allocation and disclosure. Four hypotheses were formed, and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was employed to test the relationship between corporate governance and bank sustainability practices. The statistical results showed that CG has a direct effect on firms overall sustainability as well as social and environmental sustainability practices. It was also seen that the size of the board has a significant effect on the overall sustainability measures (ESE). The study suggests that pro-active measures should be taken to improve sustainability practices in Bangladesh.

Drivers of social sustainability practices: quality management, human capital and innovation

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationships between quality management, human capital and innovation (both incremental and radical), and social sustainability practices in hospitality. Also considered are the mediating roles of human capital and innovation. Design/methodology/approach The study considers 365 hotels located in Spain, using a structural equation model based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis. Findings The findings show that quality management practices, human capital and incremental innovation all have a direct relationship with social sustainability practices. Human capital and incremental innovation partially mediate the relationship between quality management and social sustainability practices. Radical innovation has no impact on social sustainability practices and does not play a mediating role. Research limitations/implications This study enriches the literature on social sustainability in hospitality by showing that quality management, human capital and innovation can enhance social sustainability practices. It offers practical insights by understanding key drivers for promoting social sustainability in the hospitality sector. Originality/value Prior research in hospitality has not used a mediation model to empirically examine the aforementioned relationships.

A cross-sectional study of perception toward university social responsibility and environmental sustainability practices in medical university students under promotion of sustainable thinking within the university.

This study aims to assess the associations among students' perceptions of climate change, university social responsibility (USR), and environmental sustainability practices at a medical university. It also aims to identify the factors associated with these elements. A cross-sectional self-report study was conducted with a total sample of 416 undergraduate students from a medical university in Taiwan during October 2019. Data gathered comprised sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions of climate change issues, environmental sustainability practices, measure for perception toward USR, and transportation modes. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, two-sample t test, and multiple linear regression models were used. Results of multiple linear regression demonstrated that the level of certainty in climate change existence (extremely and mostly certain vs somewhat or not certain at all, 1.45 [0.68]), score for usage of nonpublic transportation (per 1-point increase, 0.52 [0.25]), and students' perception toward USR (per 1-point increase, 0.14 [0.04]) were associated with the total score of environmental sustainability practice (R-square = 11.47%). In addition, school year (non-freshmen vs freshmen, -1.64 [0.65]) and environmental sustainability practices (per 1-point increase, 0.23 [0.06]) were associated with the total score of students' perception of USR (R-square = 6.57%). Promoting environmental sustainability among university students can be achieved by implementing USR-oriented courses or activities. Our research is pioneering in investigating and discussing the perceived USR and environmental sustainability practices among university students in Taiwan.

Social sustainability in action: An explorative study of practices in construction project management

The significance of recognizing social sustainability practices for the successful management of projects is increasingly acknowledged. However, to what extent these practices are actually implemented within project management has not been sufficiently addressed in the literature. To address this gap, an empirical study was conducted to investigate the usage of social sustainability practices and explore any disparities in their implementation between domestic and international construction firms in the United Arab Emirates. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining interviews and a structured questionnaire. Through the interviews, 32 social sustainability practices were identified. Subsequently, a questionnaire was used to collect data from project managers representing 259 firms. The analysis revealed several key findings: 1) social sustainability practices are adopted at varying rates; 2) twelve practices, primarily concerning fundamental human rights and labor ethics, are uniformly employed by both domestic and international firms; and 3) international firms are more likely than their domestic counterparts to regularly implement the other 20 social sustainability practices. These findings develop new knowledge on the implementation of social sustainability practices and advance the understanding of how firm origin influences the adoption of these practices. Additionally, the findings and their implications provide valuable guidance for policymakers and project leaders looking to incorporate social sustainability practices into their operational strategies.

Social Sustainability Practices and Performance of Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organizations in Kenya

Social Sustainability Practices and Performance of Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organizations in Kenya

Do local government sustainability initiatives impact corporate social sustainability practices?

AbstractThis study quantifies the initiatives of local governments' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and examines their impacts on regional corporate social sustainability practices. Our analysis reveals statistically significant results for corporate action on the following government initiatives on SDGs: BOD/COD effluent standard (6. clean water and sanitation and 14. life below water); number of students per personal computer (PC) (4. quality education); percent of female prefectural assembly members (5. gender equality and 16. peace, justice, and strong institutions); and minimum wage (1. no poverty and 2. zero hunger). These results are robust after controlling for peer effects by other firms in the surrounding regions. The evidence also indicates that these trends are more pronounced in footloose industries than in heavy industries.

The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Practices on Employer Branding—A Case Study of an International Corporation Operating in Poland

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development practices and employer branding (EB) significantly influence the effectiveness of recruitment processes, human resource management (HRM), and an employer’s image. The main aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of internal and external CSR practices in an international corporation operating in Poland. The empirical study consisted of two stages. In the first stage, an in-depth interview was conducted with a group of managers in the examined company. In the second stage, the company’s employees and local residents (non-employees) were surveyed with the use of questionnaires. The study demonstrated that CSR activities addressing environmental issues were most effective. External CSR practices received greater recognition among white-collar (office) employees, whereas blue-collar (manual) employees were more appreciative of internal CSR measures—in particular, financial support schemes. The effectiveness of internal and external CSR practices has been rarely compared in the literature, and the present study was undertaken to fill in this knowledge gap.

Investigating social sustainability practices in global supply networks: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

Given the paucity of research that examines the impact of Social Sustainability Practices (SSP) on performance outcomes, this study investigates the adoption and influence of these practices on firms' and suppliers’ overall performance, whilst also considering the level of complexity of operational environments of global supply networks. A Fuzzy-sets Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA) approach is adopted, based on eight primary case studies within the food, chemical and textile sectors, with data collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with representatives from each company.The research identified four key categories of SSP: informative, control, collaborative, and supply network redesign practices. The findings offer empirical support for the notion that SSP adoption yields improved performance outcomes for both the firm and its suppliers. These positive effects encompass enhanced firm profitability, increased supplier efficiency, and heightened supplier innovativeness. Nevertheless, the research uncovered that the relationship between adopting SSP and their impact on performance is not always straightforward. In certain instances, a combination of these practices may be necessary to achieve the desired performance level.In addition, a prudent consideration of the operational complexity present in global supply networks is crucial for informed decision-making pertaining to the selection and adoption of the most appropriate SSP. Driving profits in complex operational environments requires integrating both informative and collaborative practices, whilst tight control is necessary to improve supplier efficiency, regardless of the extent of complexity. Collaboration also emerged as a core factor of success in enhancing supplier innovation regarding social sustainability. Decision makers should also collaborate with external entities, particularly Non-Governmental-Organisations (NGOs) and industry associations/peers, to educate suppliers, thus creating an auspicious environment where suppliers are accountable for their own sustainability performance. This research carries significant practical implications. Managers should evaluate diverse combinations of SSP to confront global sustainability challenges through the utilization of customized strategies that can yield enhanced performance results. Expanding sustainability beyond primary suppliers can often be challenging in a global supply networks, given a firm's limited oversight, transparent knowledge and control over lower tier suppliers. Consequently, managers should seek to strengthen controls and oversight within the manageable segments of the supply network, all the while facilitating self-adaptation within the extended supply network with the adoption of informative and collaborative practices that extend reach, homogeneity, and improve overall governance.

Assessing the evolution of banking reputation literature: a bibliometric analysis

PurposeThe concept of banking reputation has gained significant attention due to its relevance in the banking industry. A strong reputation has become crucial for a bank’s success, as it affects trust, credibility and stakeholders' perceptions. However, understanding and managing reputation in the banking sector involves several challenges. This study aims to analyze the field of banking reputation research through bibliometric analysis.Design/methodology/approachIt explores the evolution of research in this area, identifies key journals, articles and authors, examines the main research streams, and identifies research fronts and opportunities for future advancement.FindingsThe findings reveal that banking reputation research has evolved over time, with multiple perspectives and viewpoints. Key journals and authors in the field are identified, and leading research streams are highlighted. The study also uncovers the conceptual and intellectual structure of the research domain, providing insights into the complex and multidimensional nature of banking reputation. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of corporate social responsibility, sustainability practices and gender diversity in shaping a bank’s reputation. These factors play a significant role in attracting and retaining customers, accessing financial markets and securing funding.Research limitations/implicationsThe results contribute to the existing body of knowledge and provide researchers and practitioners with valuable insights for further exploration.Originality/valueThe paper concludes by outlining potential avenues for future research in the field of banking reputation.

Social drivers affecting job design in apparel supply chains: Inferences from a discrete choice experiment

AbstractBecause of increasing customer awareness and government regulations, apparel organisations are inclined to adopt social sustainability practices (SSPs) into their working environment. There is a lack of scientific literature examining the interaction between social and economic sustainability within the apparel industry from the employee perspective. This study aims to assess the preferences of blue and white‐collar employees in the apparel supply chain to implement SSPs. The SSPs were identified through a literature study and a deductive approach was taken to conduct a discrete choice experiment. The experiment revealed that blue‐collar employees prioritised maternity leaves and proper sanitary facilities, whereas white‐collar employees preferred corporate social responsibility initiatives and providing proper sanitary facilities when designing the jobs for blue‐collar employees. The study also identified willingness to pay for the identified practices highlighting the importance of providing maternity leaves and proper sanitary facilities to enhance economic and social sustainability. This research contributes to bridging the gap between the expectations of blue‐collar and white‐collar employees towards SSPs and provide an understanding of the interaction between the social and economic pillars of sustainability in the global apparel supply chain.

Corporate social responsibility in the new normal era: review

A business theory known as "corporate social responsibility" (CSR) places an emphasis on an organization's social and ethical responsibilities in addition to maximizing profits. It entails incorporating social responsibility, moral decision-making, and sustainable practices into the foundation of corporate operations. CSR essentially seeks to strike a balance between financial performance and a favorable influence on the environment and society, demonstrating a dedication to ethical business practices and stakeholder well-being. Businesses are realizing the value of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the face of changing global issues in the "new normal" period. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) becomes more important in the new normal era as companies deal with previously unheard-of difficulties. Global events have brought about a paradigm change that requires robust and socially responsible corporate strategies. CSR provides businesses with a strategic framework to meet demands in society, gain the trust of stakeholders, and adjust to shifting expectations. It fosters long-term sustainability in a constantly changing global landscape by positioning firms as responsible contributors to community and environmental well-being, in addition to aligning them with ethical imperatives. A critical analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the new normal age reveals a dynamic business environment where companies adjust their approaches to meet changing needs. Important discoveries highlight how crucial CSR is to boosting long-term sustainability, stakeholder trust, and resilience. The literature emphasizes the value of moral behavior, environmental stewardship, and social contributions while highlighting successful CSR implementations during global upheavals. All things considered, the assessment shows how important corporate social responsibility (CSR) is in helping companies become not just financially sustainable but also socially and environmentally conscious in the face of enormous shifts.

Social sustainability in Egypt hospitality and tourism supply chains

AbstractSocial sustainability is in its early stages in hospitality and tourism supply chains, especially in developing countries. This research draws on institutional and stakeholder theories to identify the adopted social sustainability practices in Egypt and to determine the factors affecting their implementation. A mixed‐method research approach is followed involving interviews of hotel managers and a literature‐based questionnaire answered by a total of 187 practitioners from hospitality and tourism supply chains in Egypt. The interviews revealed that social sustainability practices in the two hotels' supply chains are adopted but limited to legal requirements and brand policies. Statistical analysis indicated that local suppliers boost the adoption of social practices. All the studied barriers show very weak correlation with the adoption of social sustainability practices; according to the interviews, this does not imply barriers inexistence, but rather reflects lack of awareness regarding social rights in a culture that tend to preserve social conservatism. The enablers explained significant variations in many social sustainability practices (53 out of 62). This study is unique since it offers a novel approach by linking institutional and stakeholder theories to recognize weaknesses in tourism supply chain social sustainability, thereby providing directions for the future design of sustainable tourism policies.

Perspectives of Urban Hotel Managers and Guests on Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability Practices

The hospitality industry exerts significant environmental impact through water consumption, energy use, and waste generation. Urban hotels, particularly those branding as “lifestyle” establishments, increasingly adopt sustainable practices to mitigate their footprint. However, there’s often a mismatch between how hotel managers perceive their sustainability efforts and guests’ perceptions. This study assessed sustainability practices’ adequacy from guests’ and managers’ perspectives in urban hotels. Employing an Explanatory Sequential Mixed Method Design, quantitative data from 205 guests and qualitative insights from 19 hotel managers were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics and reflexive thematic analysis respectively. The results showed that guests generally rated environmental and economic sustainability practices highly but perceived social sustainability practices less favorably. Managers acknowledged the impact of environmental and social sustainability practices but downplayed economic initiatives, despite their underlying motivations for adopting the other sustainability practices. Both guests and managers concurred on the effectiveness of waste, water, and energy management practices. However, discordance was noted regarding the adequacy of social sustainability practices, with managers emphasizing human resources and community initiatives less visible to guests. The study recommends enhancing communication on sustainability efforts to bridge perception gaps and involve guests more in initiatives, fostering competitiveness. Future research should conduct comparative studies across regions to explore variations in sustainability practices and their effectiveness.

Benefits of Adopting Sustainability Practices by Construction Companies: Developing Country’s Perspective

Abstract In today’s world, sustainability practices are critical to every industry including the construction sector. This has come into being because of the pressure exerted on organisations and their supply chains by different stakeholders who demand ethically produced goods and services as well as responsible service delivery methods. The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between sustainability practices and the benefits that sustainability offers organisations. This study employed cross-sectional descriptive design with a quantitative approach. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions from 67 respondents who were purposively sampled from building construction companies registered with the National Council for Construction (NCC) in grades 1 to 4 and operating in the Copperbelt province of Zambia. These included senior management employees involved in various projects. The collected data was analysed using exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis. The findings revealed that economic sustainability practices had a significant influence on delivering sustainability benefits, whereas social and environmental sustainability practices had no significant influence on delivering sustainability benefits. The research further revealed that the period a company was in operation significantly contributed to its ability to realise sustainability benefits, and to the contrary, that awareness and stakeholder participation did not. The researcher thus recommended that companies in the construction sector should develop and implement sustainability policies in order to meet the expectations of several stakeholders and secure long-term competitive advantage.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) practices and firms' financial performance: Moderating role of country governance

<abstract> <p>It is becoming increasingly apparent that businesses must consider the impact they have on the environment and society while pursuing profit maximization. As a result, there is a growing need to incorporate sustainable frameworks into business decision-making. By focusing on sustainable performance at the firm level, we addressed a significant gap in understanding how environmental and social Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) impact bottom-line performance and the crucial role that effective country governance plays in implementing sustainability at the organization level. In 2015, the United Nations established Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where firms are encouraged to practice in the strategic operation of their businesses. In addition, country governance can play a significant role in adopting sustainable practices and policies that can impact bottom-line performance. In this study, we examined the relationship between environmental and social Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) practices, country governance, and firms' financial performance from 2017 to 2021. The sample data set consisted of top-listed firms in the finance, manufacturing, and technology industries of 100 companies from 17 countries in developed and developing and emerging economies. We utilized content analysis to account for the qualitative aspects of how firms implement social and environmental SDGs. Ten environmental SDGs and eight social SDGs were incorporated in this study as a means of measuring sustainable development goals' impact on a firm's financial performance. We adopted return on assets (ROA) to measure the firm's financial performance. We adopted government effectiveness and regulatory quality to moderate the relationship between social and environmental sustainability practices and firm performance. The panel regression method was exercised to find out the relationship between environmental and social SDGs' impact on financial performance. In addition, we measured the interaction effect between environmental and social SDGs and country governance on firms' performance. We also deployed two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression estimation to mitigate endogeneity concerns. We found that environmental SDGs had a positive and significant impact on firms' financial performance. The coefficient of social SDGs on firm performance was negative and statistically significant. We observed that the coefficient of interaction terms between environmental SDGs and country governance was positive and statistically significant. Moreover, the coefficient interaction terms between social SDGs and country governance were positive and statistically significant, lessening the negative impact of social SDGs on firm financial performance. Finally, we also performed a robustness test on our analysis based on the firm's average capital and average assets. The findings almost held the same.</p> </abstract>

How to survive social crises? An HR analytics data-driven approach to improve social sustainable operations’ effectiveness

PurposeDespite the growing interest regarding companies' sustainability, its social dimension has mostly been neglected by academics and practitioners. Consequently, this study aims to address this issue by investigating if the adoption of human resource (HR) analytics can positively influence the impact of social sustainable operations practices (SSOP) on employees' motivation and engagement and the effect of these lasts on organizational retention.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through online questionnaires addressed to 281 HR managers of heterogeneous companies from Europe and analyzed through a structural equation modeling (SEM) technique.FindingsThe findings confirmed the positive effect of SSOP on employees’ motivation and engagement, and of these last on employees’ retention. Furthermore, they confirmed that the usage of HR analytics positively moderates the relationship between SSOP and employees’ motivation and engagement.Originality/valueThis study contributes to both sustainable operations management and HR management literature streams. First, it adopts a multidisciplinary perspective which also considers evidence from HR management literature, allowing the authors to concentrate on the social dimension of sustainability. Second, it provided further insight regarding the adoption of a data-driven approach in relation to social sustainable operations management. Finally, it contributes to HR analytics-related literature by demonstrating its impact also on organizational aspects that are not directly controlled by the HR department.

How do firm social practices produce social impacts? Investigating the role of social and long-term orientation

Sustainability practices are expected to yield positive outcomes for both firms and the community. The literature reviewing the relationship between sustainability practices and performance has mainly been concerned with environmental issues and financial outcomes. However, there are few empirical studies that deal with the social dimension of sustainability. This article seeks to address these gaps and contribute to social sustainability studies by suggesting a positive correlation between firms' social sustainability practices – towards employees and community - and social performance, highlighting the role of social and long-term orientation as mediators. Social identity theory and practice-based view are employed to explain these relational mechanisms. Data were collected through a survey of Italian firms in the manufacturing and trade sectors. A two-stage structural equation modeling approach was followed to test the proposed mediation model.The results reveal that when practices are supported by a strong orientation, it triggers the process of social identification, thereby enhancing the firm's social outcomes. From a practice-based view, orientation can explain the performance differences among firms. To succeed in enhancing social impacts, managers and policymakers should prioritise promoting the cultural aspects of sustainability.

The influence of sustainability drivers on the implementation of social sustainability practices in the leather industry

As industries move actively towards sustainable operations, communicating the value created as a result of implementing social sustainability practices is still a challenge for researchers and practitioners. Understanding the rationale behind the implementation of sustainability practices can improve adoption and communication amongst supply chain actors. This study aims to investigate the drivers of social sustainability practices in the European Leather Supply chain through the lens of the stakeholder and institutional theory. A qualitative approach is applied in which primary and secondary data are used to achieve the study's aim and objectives in the context of the European leather supply chain. Data was thematically analysed based on the key themes developed in the initial conceptual framework. The study's key findings show that internal and external drivers that serve as antecedents for implementing social sustainability practices can be general or specific, providing another paradigm to Sustainability driver studies. Internal drivers rather than external drivers were observed to clearly relate to and explain sustainability practices implemented. The results from the study show that the application of the intersection between Institutional Theory and Stakeholder Theory can assist in explaining the relationship between social sustainability drivers and practices. The study proposes a framework for managers that can assist leather brands in understanding and explaining the importance of implementing social sustainability practices to key stakeholders whilst actualising short- and long-term business goals.

Drivers and barriers for implementing social sustainability in supply chains: a qualitative investigation of a developing country's multi-tier suppliers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate why multi-tier apparel suppliers integrate social sustainability practices into their supply chains and what barriers these suppliers encounter while embedding social sustainability practices.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a qualitative research design, drawing on data from semi-structured interviews with 46 owners and managers from 33 multi-tier apparel suppliers in Bangladesh, an important outsourcing hub for the global apparel industry. To corroborate research findings, the views of owners and managers were triangulated by further interviewing 11 key representatives of institutional actors such as third-party auditors, a donor agency, industry associations, regulatory agencies and a non-governmental organisation (NGO).FindingsThe authors' findings suggest a range of divergent institutional drivers and barriers – coercive, mimetic and normative – that determine the implementation of multi-tier suppliers' social sustainability practices. The key reported drivers were buyers' requirements, external stakeholders' expectations, top management commitment and competition. Conversely, cost and resource concerns and gaps in the regulatory framework were identified as key social sustainability implementation barriers. In particular, owners and managers of second-tier and third-tier supplier firms experienced more internal barriers such as cost and resource concerns than external barriers such as gaps in values, learning and commitment (i.e. compromise for mutual benefit and non-disclosure of non-compliance) that impeded effective social sustainability implementation.Research limitations/implicationsSocial sustainability in supply chain management has received significant attention from academics, business practitioners, governments, NGOs and supranational organisations. However, limited attention has been paid to investigating the drivers and barriers for social sustainability implementation from a developing country's multi-tier supplier perspective. The authors' research has addressed this knowledge gap.Practical implicationsThe evidence from the authors' study provides robust support for key assumptions of institutional theory and has useful implications for both managers and policy-makers.Originality/valueThe authors' study contributes to the embryonic research stream of socially sustainable multi-tier supply chain management by connecting it to the application of institutional theory in a challenging institutional context.

Effects of Sustainability Practices on Farm Continuity in Urban Agriculture: From the Creating Shared Value Perspective

Urban agriculture is essential in establishing a localized, sustainable food system due to its multifunctional nature in addressing various urban challenges. Despite the recognition that a localized, sustainable food system offers an opportunity to create shared value (CSV), where agriculture generates social and economic value, the impact of environmental and social sustainability practices on farm continuity remains unclear. This paper identifies the impact of sustainability practices on long-term farm development from the perspective of the strategic intentions of urban farmers using a questionnaire survey of 205 urban farms in Japan. Our primary findings are as follows. First, we found that strategic sustainability practices positively impact farm continuity, underscoring the significance of CSV management in sustainable urban farm development. Second, the cluster analysis revealed three strategic groups: socially conscious CSV farms (32.2%), environmentally friendly farms (47.3%), and less sustainable farms (20.5%). Consequently, the socially conscious CSV farms have higher farm continuity than the other groups. For policymakers, promoting awareness of environmentally friendly farms among urban residents and involving diverse stakeholders in supporting less sustainable farms are crucial measures to enhance farm continuity.