Sustainability Ethics Research Articles

Advancing Business Ethical Standards: Unpacking the Synergistic Influence of Governance Structures and CSR Engagement on Corporate Integrity in BRICS Countries

ABSTRACTIn a global business environment where ethical lapses increasingly undermine corporate credibility, can enhanced governance mechanisms and CSR engagement drive ethical corporate behavior? This study explores the intricate relationship between corporate governance attributes and Business Ethical Practices (BEP), examining how CSR engagement moderates this relationship across 386 manufacturing firms in the BRICS countries from 2010 to 2022. Grounded in Stakeholder and Agency Theories, the research investigates three core governance strands: diversity, structural, and process attributes. Using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator, the findings reveal that gender diversity and age diversity positively influence BEP, while national diversity has a negative association, raising concerns about the alignment of foreign board members with local ethical standards. Board independence and board size significantly enhance ethical practices, while CEO duality negatively affects BEP, emphasizing the importance of independent oversight. Among process attributes, board meetings and board tenure positively contribute to BEP, while meeting attendance shows a negative association, suggesting that mere presence without meaningful participation may not guarantee ethical outcomes. Notably, CSR engagement amplifies positive governance effects and mitigates negative influences, reinforcing its critical role as a governance enhancer. Heterogeneity analyses across manufacturing types (Job Shop, Batch, Continuous Process, and Mass Production) confirmed the consistency of these findings. Furthermore, robustness tests, including cluster analysis, sensitivity analysis, and endogeneity controls, validated the reliability of the results. The study provides targeted policy recommendations advocating for stronger diversity mandates, deeper CSR integration, and enhanced ethical training, while the practical implications emphasize the importance of comprehensive governance frameworks for long‐term ethical sustainability.

The virtues of limits and environmental sustainability in healthcare.

The spectre of human-induced climate change has drawn attention to the need to discover new, environmentally sustainable approaches to healthcare. This article draws upon David McPherson's The Virtues of Limits (2021) to develop a virtue ethics for sustainability in healthcare. I explore how a virtuous appreciation of the value of healthcare resources can lead us to exercise stewardship in our use of those resources, whereas a failure to appreciate the value of resources can lead to irresponsible and unsustainable patterns of use. I close with some recommendations of how health systems might go about facilitating the cultivation of the virtues of sustainable health practice.

From Environmental Ethics to Sustainability Ethics

From Environmental Ethics to Sustainability Ethics

An Ethical Sustainability Model for the Ready-Made Garments Enterprises in Bangladesh

The primary purpose of this study is to assess the policies that affect the ethics of business and draw recommendations for an ethical and sustainable policy for the improvement of Business Sustainability in Bangladesh’s RMG sector. The RMG sector is crucial to Bangladesh’s economy, being the backbone and providing the highest export earnings. A PST (Purposive Sampling Technique) was used to collect the data by conducting self-administered surveys completed by 279 participants from 20 RMG companies situated in five different areas. The potentials and perspectives given in the feedback are practical in terms of ethics and the present tendencies in the field. The research shows a strong positive link between an ECC (Ethical Code of Conduct) and BS (Business Sustainability) (r = 0. 256) and an even more substantial correlation for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) (r = 0. 355). Ethical leadership also demonstrates a positive relationship with business sustainability (r = 0.282). Additionally, there is a weaker but still positive connection exists between BS and NG (New Governance) (r = 0. 168). Such findings highlight the importance of ethical business regulation since it can be instrumental in enhancing Bangladesh RMG firms’ sustainability. Managers, who play a critical role in this process, are particularly important in retaining experienced employees and promoting ethical practices. This study underscores the need for robust ethical frameworks to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the RMG industry in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi enterprises participating in such RMG industry must imitate sustainable studies in their operations to gain a competitive benefit in the market and develop sustainable value propositions.

Strategic Marketing Credibility and Ethics for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions

The competition among higher education institutions (HEIs) has intensified, necessitating the adoption of effective marketing strategies to attract students while addressing ethical concerns and credibility. Despite the increasing reliance on rhetorical tactics, data-driven approaches, and persuasive communication, the role of ethical and credible marketing in student recruitment remains underexplored. This study aimed to examine the potential of ethical and credible marketing strategies to enhance student enrollment in HEIs, with a focus on Iraq. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four marketing experts from three HEIs, and a questionnaire survey was administered to 402 prospective students, yielding 390 valid responses. The findings highlight the critical importance of credible and ethical practices—such as integrity, fairness, and accuracy—in marketing for the sustainability of HEIs. Statistical analysis revealed that ethical marketing fosters trust, enhances stakeholder engagement, and supports sustainable development in education. These insights are valuable for marketing managers, policymakers, and educational leaders seeking to design effective enrollment strategies while ensuring institutional integrity and long-term growth.

Retraction Note: Role of sustainability ethics in amplifying investments in common green properties and infrastructure in China

Retraction Note: Role of sustainability ethics in amplifying investments in common green properties and infrastructure in China

Examining the ethical and sustainability challenges of legal education’s AI revolution

ABSTRACT Two of the forces that have most shaped the landscape in higher education over the last few years have been sustainability on one hand and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the other. Bringing these phenomena together, this article examines the multifaceted sustainability challenges posed by integrating AI into legal education. The integration of AI into legal education has promised to revolutionise the field, offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency and innovation. However, this transformative shift is accompanied by ethical and sustainability challenges. This article explores important sustainability issues arising from AI adoption in legal education, emphasising equity, ethics and the long-term viability of AI-driven initiatives. Strategies to promote fairness, inclusivity and ethical AI practices are explored, alongside resource allocation schemes, digital divide mitigation and sustainable faculty training programmes. Ethical considerations are examined, focusing on AI biases and policies for promoting equity and inclusion. This article also discusses the challenge of regulatory compliance in an evolving AI landscape. The intersection of AI adoption, sustainability ethics and legal education necessitates a conscientious integration of sustainability principles to navigate ethical dilemmas responsibly. By addressing these challenges, legal education can lead the way in shaping a future where AI serves as a valuable tool.

Investigating Employee Perceptions of Ethical Sustainability in Companies

In today's business environment, corporate governance and strategy have come to focus heavily on the relationship of sustainability and business ethics. This paper examines the complex link between sustainable development and ethical business practices, making the case that moral concerns are essential to reaching long-term sustainability objectives. Integrity, justice, and responsibility are just a few of the values that make up business ethics. The first section of the paper outlines the introduction to importance of Ethical practices, fundamental ideas of sustainability and business ethics, emphasising how they have developed historically and how important they are becoming to corporate goals. It also talks about the importance of religious principles which have focussed on ethical practices in business. Also, some case studies as examples of companies which are concentrating on ethical practices, followed by some examples quoting unethical practices and scams happened in India. Next section is dedicated to the Research methodology and data analysis, the primary data has been collected from 61 respondents, whose perception about ethical and sustainable practices have been captured and analysed descriptive and inferentially it is found that in most of the cases various age group respondents are not significantly different in terms of ethical, sustainable practices but only in 2 instances like the long-term profitability and level of importance with respect to sustainability practices and profitability there are differences of perceptions.

Institute for Convergent Systems Engineering: A Strategic Plan for Ethical Sustainability

AbstractThe last few years have made it clear that the world is entering a new phase in which sustainability is of paramount importance to the survival and well‐being of our global societies. This paper describes the strategic plan for the Institute for Convergent Systems Engineering which is addressing the challenge of ethical sustainability in which social, environmental, and economic implications are carefully considered and balanced. Included is a discussion of the criticality of convergent systems engineering and its values and principles. The paper also presents a three part strategy for sustainability at the macro, meso, and micro levels entailing the consideration of end‐to‐end global value supply chains. The foundational pillars of research, education, and collaboration are also described.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Role of sustainability ethics in amplifying investments in common green properties and infrastructure in China

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Role of sustainability ethics in amplifying investments in common green properties and infrastructure in China

An Analysis of Sustainable Fashion Business Models, Frameworks and Ethics

In a realm of constant changes to the environment in addition to societal perceptions towards issues surrounding fast fashion, researchers have been analyzing the impacts of this market shift and transition on businesses and their marketing models. This publication will review the multifaceted dynamics and components to the fashion industry, by paying close attention to innovative business strategies, its impact on the supply chain, in conjunction with sustainable ethics and policies that have governed policy makers' role in the pursuit of environmental protection and awareness. This publication will also analyze the varying ethical issues surrounding these propositions, and promising areas of future will also be delved into.

Finding Solutions to Ecological and Environmental Crisis with a New Ethics

Ecological and environmental crises are related to the development of an anthropocentric human culture. They threaten the values on which human life and development on Earth depend, and therefore the need for a new ethic arises. The aim of this paper, which is based on a qualitative analysis of theoretical sources, is to highlight the gravity of these crises and to present a 'new ethics', which is referred to as the ethics of the future, the ethics of responsibility for the future or the ethics of sustainability. We draw on the work of H. Jonas and other thinkers who point out that the traditional ethics, which is also referred to as anthropocentric, is no longer sufficient in today's world. It cannot contribute to solving these crises. We argue in favour of a 'new ethics' that takes into account the distant future and relies on a new dimension of responsibility, but also of justice. It urges people to be able to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions and not to endanger the survival of humanity on the planet and also of all life. With this in mind, it should also play a part in shaping their moral character.

Interaction of Digital Trends and Sustainable Development: The role of Contemporary Art

The purpose of the work is to analyze the impact of digital technologies on the sustainable development of contemporary art - an overview of the main trends that have emerged as a result of the integration of new media into artistic practices. The article methodologically classifies various genres of digital art by means of a critical qualitative analysis of practices, artworks, installations, exhibitions, collectives and events at the forefront of artistic innovation with new technologies. The scientific novelty lies in a comprehensive analysis of digital art through the prism of the concept of sustainable development. The work considers digital art not just as another technological innovation, but as a full-fledged artistic phenomenon of our time. The systematization of artistic practices associated with the use of the latest technologies is carried out, their common conceptual foundations are revealed. In addition, the article deals with issues of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, inclusiveness of digital practices. The dilemmas around the balance of technological innovation and artistic freedom from the perspective of sustainability ethics are outlined. The conclusions provide a conceptual understanding of optimal pathways for developing digital art in relation to societal sustainability.
 Keywords: digital art, sustainable development, new media art, network art, generative art, interactive art, AI, VR, AR, digital culture

Beyond sustainability reporting: A theoretical framework for ethical sustainability governance

Current sustainability efforts, often focused solely on reporting, have not had the expected impact. This conceptual paper proposes a framework based on ethical sustainability governance and incorporates a theory of change (ToC) (Organizational Research Services [ORS], 2004), that seeks to show how organizations can move beyond reporting and embrace ethical governance to achieve sustainable outcomes for people and the planet. Unlike frameworks like ESG (environmental, social, and governance), which emphasize external metrics, our framework prioritizes ethical governance and internal drivers for measurable outcomes. The framework also integrates a ToC which informs the framework’s design by outlining the desired long-term outcomes, necessary preconditions for implementation, specific interventions, and methods for measuring progress. Drawing inspiration from diverse theories such as the triple bottom line (TBL), corporate governance, purpose-led organizations, the theory of planned behavior (TPB), dynamic capabilities theory (DCT), and stakeholder theory, our framework establishes four interconnected pillars: environmental, social, cultural, and technological. It emphasizes that ethical governance needs to be the cornerstone of good sustainability-focused action (Ehrenfeld, 2005). Finally, it emphasizes actionable implementation to increase the likelihood of tangible progress toward sustainability goals. By guiding organizations in implementing ethical governance there is a higher chance that sustainability-focused action plans can enable positive outcomes

Public Sector Greenness and Cleanliness in Ethiopia

Across the globe, calls for clean, green, and environmentally sustainable public sectors are growing louder, driven by the urgent need for a sustainable society, environment, and green development. These sectors act as crucial engines, both coordinating actions and promoting accountability across the private, government, and civil society spheres. However, in the Ethiopian context, information remains scarce on how employees and customers perceive the link between sustainability, clean and green environments within the public sector, and how these environments impact employee work motivation and productivity. This study dives deep into these questions, investigating the state of sustainability ethics and green/clean public sector maintenance in Ethiopia. It examines employee awareness, the challenges of building and running such workplaces, and ultimately, the perceived effects of clean and green working environments on the Ethiopian public sector. Employing a Concurrent Mixed Methods Design, the study utilizes both quantitative surveys with employees and customers and qualitative interviews with leadership positions. The findings reveal multifaceted impacts of green and clean public services, with the most resounding theme, supported by existing research, being the direct link between sustainable workplaces and higher productivity and success. These positive effects manifest in various ways, from increased employee and customer satisfaction, enhanced commitment and productivity, and the promotion of peace and stability, to laying the foundation for a healthy and productive society.

الموضة السريعة وأثرها في تلوث البيئة وأهمية الاستدامة في حماية البيئة

The technological development, globalization, and the change in the purchasing behavior of the consumer lead to the emergence of a production method called rapid fashion, and this method relied on the speed of copying all the designs offered by major international fashion houses and manufacturing them as soon as possible at the lowest cost and provide the latest fashion for the owner in large numbers and at the lowest prices; Cheaply and that method in Production is anti-sustainable, which is mainly based on adherence to the ethics of design, production, environmental conservation and labor rights. The current research aims to focus on scientific research in the field of sustainability, especially in the field of fashion and clothing because of its harmful effects on the environment significantly shedding light on the negative effects of fast fashion. It defines the ethics of sustainability in the field of fashion and its production. And highlight the wrong practices that appear from fast fashion companies. Suggestions must also be made to apply the rules and standards in sustainability in fast fashion. The research problem is determined by the following questions: How effective scientific research is in sustainability in the field of clothing production? What is its impact on the environment? The study followed the analytical approach to analyze the impact of fast fashion and clothing on the environment, and the applied approach in training workers in factories on sustainable methods in the clothing industry by providing ideas and proposals that make the environment clean for sustainability and applying them in the field of clothing. And conducting interviews for experts and decision makers in ready-made clothing factories and companies to poll their opinions through a scale to find out whether sustainability in clothing and the use of trust materials have an impact on the environment towards the proposed study and reach the results. The results of the study found a statistically significant relationship between sustainability in the field of clothing and consumer and environmental preservation by 83% and an average correlation of 8.51. There is also a statistically significant relationship between workers in the manufacture of clothing and maintaining sustainability standards to protect the environment between sustainability 73% with an average correlation of 0.49. With a significance level of 0.00. The researcher recommends paying attention to scientific studies that are concerned with the areas of sustainability to preserve the environment and consumer awareness in the field of sustainability and environmental preservation.

Which factors affect the Italian consumer’s intention to insect-eating? An application of an integrated attitude-intention-eating model

This research explored the role of key socio-psychological dimensions on individuals’ intention to eat insect-based foods (IEIBF). In particular, the theoretical framework included biospheric values and social norms, whose impact on pro-environmental choices has been largely evidenced, but also those factors related to animal welfare and neophobia/neophilia attitudes. An online survey was carried out in different Italian regions intercepting 1402 individuals to verify the relationships predicted by our proposed model, i.e. the Integrated Sustainable Neophilic Insect-based Eating Model (ISNIEM), for predicting IEIBF. Participants completed a survey containing measures of IEIBF, biospheric values, general pro-environmental beliefs, attitude toward sustainability, food neophilia, concern for insect welfare, and social norms (both injunctive and descriptive). Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique was used for testing the ISNIEM. The main findings show that individuals having higher concern about environmental and ethical sustainability are more open to eating insects, especially if the latter are treated ethically. Overall, these results suggest that a typical consumer of insect foods is likely to be driven to their consumption from one side by curiosity (related to the neophilia dimension), and from the other side either by the sense of responsibility towards the environment or by the concern for ethical issues (i.e., animal welfare). The integrated attitude-food-intention model used to explore intention to eat insect foods (IEIBF) with a visual scheme represents an innovative approach in the study of consumer behaviour.

GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN PROMOTING SHARIAH AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: THEMATIC ISSUE ON GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY [FROM THE EDITORS

/ EDITOR’S REVIEW
 Technological advancements, environmental challenges, and societal shifts drive transformative changes in governance and sustainability. Ethical leadership and Shariah principles are critical lenses for examining and navigating these changes. Governance and technology are new issues requiring an ethical framework to guide decision-making and policy formulation. Ethical leadership promotes transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in these complex landscapes. Ethical leadership emphasises the value of long-term environmental stewardship, equitable resource allocation, and social justice in this context.
 The manuscript expertly navigates the perilous terrain of governance, describing the ethical complexities introduced by digital democracy and decentralised technologies and arguing for the critical role of ethical leadership as a guiding compass through these variations. Ethical leadership emerges as an orienting paradigm with normative ideals of transparency, inclusivity, and accountability across the domains studied.
 Shariah principles are effectively integrated, adding a moral and ethical dimension that elevates the discussion. These principles promote fairness, transparency, and social responsibility, consistent with the overarching themes of effective governance and sustainable development. In doing so, the manuscript positions Shariah as a complementary lens and a critical, integral framework that enriches governance and sustainability ethics and practises.
 The erudition with which this overview weaves these multifaceted strands into a cohesive intellectual tapestry distinguishes it. It takes a multi-dimensional analytical approach to articulate the synergies and interdependencies between governance, sustainability, ethical leadership, and Shariah, advocating for a more holistic, integrated approach to addressing our times' complex challenges.
 The manuscript lays intellectually fertile ground for future research for field scholars. The articulation of complex, intersecting themes suggests numerous avenues for academic inquiry, particularly in conceptualising governance models that are effective, ethical, and Shariah-compliant. As such, this seminal overview is a valuable intellectual resource for many stakeholders, including academics, policymakers, and practitioners dedicated to fostering ethical, equitable, and sustainable futures.

Turning Grey to Green: Engaging Gamification in Sustainability Education with Augmented Reality Technology

In recent decades, topics of sustainability and carbon neutrality are getting more attention from society and academia in the sense of urbanization and social innovation. Scholars have been proposing methods to achieve sustainability and they emphasize the importance of educating citizens about the ethics of sustainability. Also, in the educational context, there is a trend in applying gamification concepts to promote sustainability. Previous studies have demonstrated that gamification can engage students through interactive content and reward systems, so that they can be motivated to learn and apply knowledge. Nevertheless, limited articles can be found to propose methods for developing technological applications for green innovation education. In addition, scant interest has been shown to include gamification in sustainability education, especially in Hong Kong. Knowing that simulation games may raise students’ curiosity to learn, we designed an augmented-reality-based educational mobile application to investigate their perception of engaging technologies and gamification in the learning process of sustainability education. In this application, there are three major components to be presented. First, various simulation games are included to educate learners with practical skills to nurture sustainable living habits. Cartoons and animations are added to better explain abstract ecological theories, and learners can interact with game characters / elements in real-time motion for an advanced gaming experience. Second, to motivate students to learn the content, digital achievement badges can be earned after winning the mini-games and they can be shared on social media platforms. It is expected that the reward system can attract students to participate actively. Last but not least, the application is hoped to engage Hong Kong citizens and the globe in the Green Deck project of Hong Kong and encourage more social involvement. With reference to the application structure, this study is expected to explore the effects of implementing games and augmented reality on education for sustainable development. Two surveys (pre- and post-surveys) would be established to evaluate the students’ learning experience and knowledge acquisition on sustainability.

Sustainable Preparation Behavior for Kitchen Staff in Order to Limit Food Waste.

The concepts of culinary sustainability and avoiding the waste of surplus food have become important sustainability trends today. How the handling of surplus food can be integrated into the catering industry is a topic of concern in the industry. Kitchen staff are the vital soul of any restaurant, and we intend to discuss how kitchen staff actually behave and explore factors that influence their behaviors in order to develop an implementation model for food waste prevention. Therefore, this study explored a model of ethical sustainability, professional competence, self-efficacy, sustainable food preparation objectives, and sustainable food promotion and behavior focused on limiting food waste, using structural equation modeling (SEM) to understand the relationship between various constructs. This study used a questionnaire and surveyed employees who had been employed for more than 6 months in Taiwan. From May to August 2022, 500 questionnaires were distributed; 415 valid questionnaires were retrieved, yielding a 90.2% recovery rate. According to the structural equation modeling analysis between the dimensions, ethical sustainability should have a positive influence on professional competence in food waste prevention and self-efficacy. Professional competence in food waste prevention affected self-efficacy and behavioral intentions during food preparation; self-efficacy also significantly affected behavioral intentions towards sustainable food preparation. Similarly, behavioral intention had a positive influence on promoting sustainable behaviors. There is a significant relationship between all constructs in this study. Professional competence in food waste prevention was found to be the mediating factor between ethical sustainability and behavioral intentions toward sustainable food preparation, and self-efficacy was the mediating factor between professional competence in food waste prevention and behavioral intentions toward sustainable food preparation.