This research aims to demonstrate the extension of actor engagement to include human–environmental engagement within broader socioecological systems.
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to demonstrate the extension of actor engagement to include human–environmental engagement within broader socioecological systems.
Design/methodology/approach
This work takes the perspective of Neo-animist Ontology which posits that since non-human biotic entities act as ecological and cultural resource integrators they should be considered as actors. In addition, the present article uses the concept of Nature’s Contributions to People, here renamed Nature’s Contributions to Humans (NCHs) to demonstrate the complex cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions of human–environmental interaction. The work also draws on existing concepts of actor engagement within multilevel socioecological systems.
Findings
This study offers a conceptual framework within which to understand how the complex interactions between humans and natural entities produce human–environmental engagement. It also provides evidence for three forms of human–environmental engagement, that is, purposeful involvement between humans and nature (natural ecosystems and non-human bioactors) with cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions. These engagement types have been termed: Nature–human regulating engagement; Nature–human material and cultural engagement; and Mindful engagement with nature. As this work shows, they arise due to human–environmental interactions involving the three forms of NCHs (regulating, material and non-material) and sustainable practices through which the environment and humans exert mutual influence upon one another. Additionally, this work identifies key focal actors and the novel, creative practices they implement to re-shape inter-industrial service ecosystems so demonstrating many-to-many A2A interactions within a socioecological system.
Research limitations/implications
Future areas of research include in-depth investigation of the psychological (emotional-sensorial) processes of human engagement with nature and examination of the perspectives of non-human bioactors in human-initiated engagement with nature.
Originality/value
This study takes our understanding of engagement beyond its current focus on human-centric service ecosystems to include human–environmental engagement in socioecological systems. This involves the novel extension of the concept of an actor to include non-human biological agents involved in the provision of NCHs and enables an examination of how these so-called bioactors interact—directly or indirectly—with human actors. A further innovation here is the simultaneous zooming in and zooming out on actor engagement to gain a truly multilevel perspective.
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Racha Harakati, Ines Ghazouani and Zaineb Hlioui
In this study, we aim to define a new ecological financial pecking order. We examine how SMEs' adherence to the environment in the Mediterranean region is impacted by their…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, we aim to define a new ecological financial pecking order. We examine how SMEs' adherence to the environment in the Mediterranean region is impacted by their financial resources and how women Entrepreneurship could play a moderating role in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Our data are pooled cross-sectional firm level data across 14 Mediterranean countries, with a total of 5,949 observations over the period from 2018 to 2020. We look into the moderating influence of SMEs’ female ownership on the financial sources-environmental engagement link using GLS estimations. To reach our aim we focus on seven funding sources and develop a green engagement construct using JCA. Besides, we distinguish between the least and most environmentally engaged companies in the EU and its neighborhood and compare the different interactions and possible moderations.
Findings
Results show that government subsidies foster environmental engagement, followed by supplier credits with a less significant positive impact. The bank credits have the least significant beneficial influence, while non-bank financial institutions have a non-significant effect. We underline that environmental engagements are hindered by the other funds, issued bonds and internal funds.
Research limitations/implications
SMEs in the Mediterranean region, particularly the less environmentally conscious, require strong legal frameworks to enforce environmental responsibility and raise awareness. Integrating less environmentally committed EU SMEs into state subsidy strategies is a chance to improve environmental responsibility in the region.
Originality/value
To our knowledge, there are no prior studies that present a detailed financial structure and environmental management investigation for SMEs within the Mediterranean region while considering the moderating effect of women's entrepreneurship.
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Wonsuk Cha, Michael Abebe and Hazel Dadanlar
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between a chief executive officer (CEO)’s personal engagement in broader societal causes (CEO civic engagement) and firm’s…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between a chief executive officer (CEO)’s personal engagement in broader societal causes (CEO civic engagement) and firm’s social and environmental performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical framework was developed based on upper echelons and stakeholder theories to argue that CEOs’ professional background characteristics can be closely related to firm-level social and environmental performance. Hierarchical OLS analysis was conducted using data from 178 large, publicly traded large US firms between 2010 and 2013.
Findings
Overall, the findings suggest that firms led by CEOs with active civic engagement are more likely to support various philanthropic efforts. Additionally, the findings suggest that firms led by civic-minded CEOs are more likely to support an active corporate environmental engagement by investing significant resources in various environmental causes. Contrary to the authors’ predictions, the level of CEO civic engagement was not a significant predictor of firm level community engagement activities.
Research limitations/implications
The findings extend current scholarly work on executive determinants of corporate social performance by highlighting the important role of CEOs’ personal engagement beyond studying CEOs’ demographic characteristics. Specifically, the findings that the CEO-civic engagements lead to higher degrees of corporate philanthropy and environmental performance show that CEOs’ civic engagement can go beyond what is considered symbolic executive actions.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that firms that seek to foster social and environmental performance in a meaningful way should recruit and retain CEOs that have a personal commitment to and engagement in various social and environmental issues and causes.
Originality/value
By empirically examining the effect of CEO civic engagement on corporate philanthropy, community involvement and environmental performance, this paper seeks to contribute to the scholarly conversation on the effects of CEOs in shaping the firm’s social and environmental engagement and addressing external stakeholder concerns.
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H. Maama, J. O. Akande and M. Doorasamy
There are growing concerns about the environmental activities of firms and their accountability towards reporting on such activities against the background of the voluntary…
Abstract
There are growing concerns about the environmental activities of firms and their accountability towards reporting on such activities against the background of the voluntary reporting regimes. As a result, the motivation for this study is to investigate the role of NGOs' (nongovernmental organisations) engagement in influencing firms' environmental accounting disclosures using data of listed firms in Ghana. Environmental disclosure scores were constructed through content analyses from 422 annual reports of the listed firms with NGO engagements surrogated with dummy variables, capturing firms' acknowledgement of their engagements with NGOs and the data analysed using the two-step generalised method of moments. The results provided evidence to show that NGOs' engagement is positive and significantly influence firms' environmental reporting practices. Further analyses confirming profitability, leverage and market share prices among others are significant for explaining environmental disclosures. This is regarded as the first study to investigate the relationship between NGOs as stakeholders and the quality of environmental accounting disclosures. The findings provided comprehensive implications for policies that could further strengthen pressure groups to deal with environmental degradation through firms' activities.
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Mrudula Manoj, Anjitha Ram Das, Arun Chandran and Santanu Mandal
Recent studies have classified ecotourism behaviour into specific components like site-specific ecological, pro-environmental and environmental learning behaviour. However, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent studies have classified ecotourism behaviour into specific components like site-specific ecological, pro-environmental and environmental learning behaviour. However, the role of materialism in generating these types of behaviour is not clearly understood. Materialism might also affect tourists' environmental engagement. Hence, this study embarks on exploring these research gaps.
Design/methodology/approach
All the constructs were operationalized as first-order factors based on extant scales of measurement. After suitable pretesting, the study was able to collect 122 valid responses. The responses were analysed using partial least squares (PLS).
Findings
Results suggest that environmental engagement and environmental learning behaviour have prominent roles as enablers. Furthermore, the importance of materialism is not statistically significant and requires further investigation.
Research limitations/implications
While the study showed that environmental engagement is a crucial precursor for the development of different types of ecotourism behaviour, it also has limitations. First, the study tested the validity of the proposed associations based on the perceptual responses of 122 tourists who are interested in participating in ecotourism. However, this may lack generalizability. Future research can take a common set of tourists or a specific destination and execute a longitudinal analysis to better understand the way ecotourism behaviour has evolved over time at a destination. This would in turn help the local people and tour planners to develop tourism packages and events.
Practical implications
As tourists are interested in environmental learning, they are eventually expected to take care of the destination environment in terms of protecting it in every form. This may include reporting of any environment damaging activity, for example, activities that can enhance environmental pollution, etc.
Social implications
Materialism hinders the environmental conservation spree of tourists, when they indulge more in shopping and leisure trips. Hence, for destination planners it is very important to hold complementary events in addition to the main event to highlight the dire need of involving in ecotourism activities.
Originality/value
The study is of significant contribution for researchers and practitioners as it develops the antecedents and consequences of environmental learning behaviour. Furthermore, this study has implications for managers working for sustainability of tourism destinations.
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Shaojie Lai, Laifeng Yang, Qing Sophie Wang and Hamish Anderson
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of state capital participation (SCP) on the corporate environmental engagement (CEE) of privately controlled listed…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of state capital participation (SCP) on the corporate environmental engagement (CEE) of privately controlled listed firms in China.
Design/methodology/approach
We use a sample of 20,133 firm-year observations from 2009 to 2021. We use three different measures to proxy corporate environmental engagement and two different measures to proxy for state capital participation. We employ a difference-in-difference regression model to estimate the effect of state capital participation on corporate environmental engagement.
Findings
Using a sample of 20,133 firm-year observations from 2009 to 2021, we find that SCP significantly increases corporate expenditure on environmental protection, corporate environmental performance and ESG ratings. Specifically, SCP increases environmental investment capacity and attracts more media coverage, online attention and analysts’ following, which leads to better environmental engagement. Further analyses show that after state shareholders exit privately controlled firms, CEE deteriorates, while private capital injection in state-owned firms has no significant impact on CEE. The positive effect of SCP is stronger in privately controlled firms with local government ownership, a larger number of state shareholders, longer state shareholder holding periods, those without politically connected managers and firms operating in heavy pollution industries. Lastly, we show that minority government ownership reduces firm-level toxic emissions and enhances financial performance.
Research limitations/implications
We enrich the literature on the role of minority state ownership in corporate financial and environmental performance.
Originality/value
We enrich the literature on the role of minority state ownership in corporate financial and environmental performance. In light of the escalating environmental concerns and the growing emphasis on corporate environmental responsibility, this study highlights the beneficial role of minority government ownership in driving environmental performance. By providing resources and attracting external scrutiny, the government, as a minority shareholder, can significantly enhance the environmental engagement of privately controlled firms.
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Abaid Ullah Zafar, Aqsa Sajjad, Reeti Agarwal, Grigorios Lamprinakos and Muhammad Zafar Yaqub
Rapid development in modern technologies has led to the transformation of global marketing strategies. Concerned stakeholders are also trying to alter the course of sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
Rapid development in modern technologies has led to the transformation of global marketing strategies. Concerned stakeholders are also trying to alter the course of sustainable activities to exploit the marketing opportunities available in the digital world. Green gamification platforms have been developed and are being espoused by brands to enhance their image and support the sustainable development entrenched in users’ engagement with international brands. These platforms can transform consumers’ cognitive learning and decisions; however, their probable role is not explored in this context. A framework based on behavioural reasoning theory and value consumption theory is proposed to investigate associations of gamification value, cognitive reasoning factors, engagement and contextual boundary elements.
Design/methodology/approach
Partial least square structural equation modelling was applied to the data of 413 players, which were collected using a cross-sectional approach from qualified respondents.
Findings
Results indicate that gamification value inspires consumer engagement, with international brands and augments environmental consciousness; however, it also originates environmental complacency, but complacency does not significantly impact consumer engagement contrary to environmental consciousness. Besides, the interaction of a status-seeking lifestyle supplements environmental complacency and lessens the impression of environmental consciousness. The perceived sustainable image significantly enhances the influence of environmental consciousness towards consumer brand engagement, which is divergent from complacency.
Originality/value
This study offers implications for brands to utilize the digital uprising of gamification effectively in international markets. It proposes to transform the marketing strategies to bolster consumers’ engagement with international brands through gamification marketing strategies. This can help to achieve sustainable development goals worldwide more effectively.
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Mechanisms behind employees’ pro-environmental behaviors have increasingly been attracting scholarly attention. The purpose of this study is to examine how environmentally…
Abstract
Purpose
Mechanisms behind employees’ pro-environmental behaviors have increasingly been attracting scholarly attention. The purpose of this study is to examine how environmentally specific servant leadership contributes to employees’ organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (employee OCBE).
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, employees from resort hotels in Central Vietnam were selected as participants. The data analysis was conducted through structural equation modeling and bootstrapping test.
Findings
Environmentally specific servant leadership exhibited the positive association with employee OCBE through employee environmental engagement as a mediator. Two moderation mechanisms – organizational support for green behaviors and person-group fit – were also found to serve as enhancers for the effect of environmentally specific servant leadership on employee OCBE.
Practical implications
The research results provide hospitality organizations with a premise for the focus of servant leadership and organizational support around pro-environmental values. It is also vital for practitioners to build the fit between employees and the organization’s pro-environmental values so as to further promote their positive reaction to environmentally specific servant leadership and engagement in pro-environmental behaviors.
Originality/value
The present study marks the confluence between environmentally specific servant leadership and employee OCBE research streams and provides a moderated mediation mechanism to shed light on such a relationship.
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Haslinda Yusoff, Glen Lehman and Noraini Mohd Nasir
The objective of this paper is to examine environmental disclosure practices among Malaysian public‐listed companies in an attempt to interpret corporate motivations for their…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to examine environmental disclosure practices among Malaysian public‐listed companies in an attempt to interpret corporate motivations for their environmental engagements and commitments.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper investigates corporate motivations using content analysis by examining the corporate annual reports. Discourse analysis was used to analyse and then interpret the environmental information. In particular, the reasons that have inspired companies in Malaysia to engage in environmental matters are the focus of the research.
Findings
The results revealed high levels of information in environmental disclosures concerning current environmental engagements and future environmental plans/strategies. The environmental information was found to contain messages that revealed the corporate motives of certain environmental engagements. Three key motivating factors were found to be: “stakeholders' concern”, “self‐environmental concern” and “operational improvements”.
Research limitations/implications
The paper advocates interpretation of the discourse of environmental information to determine the comprehensive scope on corporate environmental reporting.
Originality/value
Disclosure practices (through the use of language) are utilised by business corporations to articulate messages concerning their environmental engagements and the motives behind such engagements. Furthermore, the paper offers some insights into current environmental reporting practices in a developing country.
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This study aims to investigate the relationship between environmental activities and consumer engagement on firm performance according to supply-and-demand perceptions, and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between environmental activities and consumer engagement on firm performance according to supply-and-demand perceptions, and further examines the moderating role of internationalization to demonstrate the effects of environmental activities more comprehensively.
Design/methodology/approach
Three panel regression models have been used. In total, 510 environmental activities and consumers’ negative engagement collected from the official Facebook brand page are analyzed to examine the study’s models for a period of 13-years (2008–2020). The findings persist when this study compares the estimates resulted from different econometrics methods.
Findings
The study’s results indicate an insignificant effect of environmental activities and consumer engagement on firm performance, respectively, while the interaction effect on firm performance is significant and negative. However, when internationalization plays the moderating role, this study provides new evidence that such negativity impact is no longer effective in the lodging industry as firms expand internationally.
Practical implications
This study offers strategic insights to managers who are concerned about the detrimental effect of negative consumer engagement that the firm-consumer relationship mitigates the negativity bias in negative engagement. Hotels should actively implement internationalization as a key strategy while practicing environmental activities with integrity.
Originality/value
Despite the importance of green management in the social networking service context, little is known about its effect and value on firm performance. This study provides new evidence for the real effectiveness of internationalization by demonstrating its role in the lodging industry.