Globalisation – characterised by dynamic economic growth, increasing exploitation of the natural environment, and deepening social inequalities – brings negative consequences and is strongly ...perceptible also in local communities. A new approach to development policy based on the idea of sustainable development must be incorporated into local governments’ strategies, programmes, and actions. We adopted exploratory approach to determine the level and identify the spatial patterns of sustainable development of Polish poviats. The aggregated (synthetic) indicators of economic, social, and environmental development were developed to analyse the spatial patterns of the poviats’ development trends. Our research shows that in Poland there are overwhelmingly more poviats characterised by lower development than those better developed in all three analysed categories. Hierarchical analysis using the Ward’s method revealed that Polish poviats can be divided into three relatively homogeneous clusters in terms of development levels. The largest group consists of poviats characterised by the relatively lowest level of sustainability in economic and social areas, and the highest – by environmental development. Analyses using the Moran method made it possible to determine the so-called spatial regimes of clusters. The captured spatial relationships indicate that selected poviats have a significant impact on the level of development in the neighbouring poviats.
The economic importance of the private sector, such as the contribution of businesses to Gross Domestic Product or to employment creation, is well recognised in research and policy. In the context of ...significant economic, social and environmental changes such as the economic downturn, public spending cuts, an ageing population and climate change, the broader social and environmental contributions of the private sector to local resilience have begun to be recognised by researchers and policy-makers. However, we lack a detailed understanding of the nature of, and motivations for, these different contributions.
This paper discusses the findings of a case study in South Australia which aimed to enhance our understanding of the role of private sector enterprises in local development and resilience. In particular, this article explores What, How and Why questions: What are the economic and social contributions of rural businesses to local resilience?, How are these contributions made? and Why do business owners make these contributions?
The findings reveal that rural businesses contribute to local resilience in both direct and indirect ways. Direct contributions include, for example, the creation of local employment and local product and service delivery. Indirect contributions can be understood as the knock-on effect or added value of primary business activities. For example, the provision of employment opportunities helps to reduce the risk of out-migration and depopulation. With reference to the concept of embeddedness, the study demonstrates the importance of the rural context in shaping the behaviour of rural business owners and encouraging them to operate in economically, socially and environmentally responsible ways. However, this is not a passive relationship; rural business owners have the motivation and resources to respond to specific local challenges, opportunities and characteristics, and to proactively and skilfully turn them into entrepreneurial opportunities. As such, they become part of the adaptation process, acting as agents of change in supporting rural resilience. This adaptation process contributes to enhanced community resilience which enables the modification of existing structures and the seeking of solutions to economic, social and environmental challenges.
•Rural businesses contribute to local resilience in both direct and indirect ways.•Rural context shapes the behaviour of rural business owners.•Rural business owners act as agents of change supporting local resilience.•Rural businesses create solutions to economic, social and environmental challenges.
In recent years, investors have perceived that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices significantly increase the value of companies’ stocks. This study investigates the impact of ESG ...inclusion on the price, liquidity and financial performance of stocks listed in the Indian ESG indices. Two major Indian benchmark ESG Indices, the BSE100 ESG and Nifty 100 ESG, were considered for the study. A total sample of 64 firms from the BSE100 ESG index and 86 firms from the Nifty100 ESG index were selected. The market model of the event study methodology was employed to measure AAR and CAAR and to demonstrate the effect before and after the inclusion of the stocks in the ESG indices. The empirical results show a highly significant negative AAR on the announcement day, i.e., on (day = 0) for BSE100 ESG index stocks and an insignificant positive AAR for Nifty100 ESG index stocks. In addition, the results also document a significant negative CAAR for BSE 100 ESG stocks and a positive insignificant CAAR for Nifty100 ESG stocks. Moreover, the liquidity test results revealed a considerable liquidity enhancement in the stocks posts their inclusion in the BSE100 ESG. At the same time, there were no significant changes in the liquidity ratio of stocks after being included in the Nifty100 ESG index. This study concludes that there will be a substantial improvement in the companies’ financial performance as indicated by EPS and market capitalization after their inclusion in the ESG indices.
This research delves into the complex factors that affect how ready a community is to embrace new environmental development strategies, which could significantly change the region's social and ...economic fabric. Using a structured questionnaire, exploratory factor analysis and logistic regression analysis, the study assesses how corporate practices in resource management, environmental governance, efforts to enhance community capabilities, and various demographic factors influence the community's willingness to adapt to change. Despite its intentions to benefit both the mining operations and the community, corporate resource management appears to have a paradoxical impact on the community's willingness to pursue new environmental paths. This negative impact can be attributed to the dependency it creates. Effective corporate resource management can lead to a community becoming heavily reliant on the stability and benefits provided by the mining company. This dependency fosters a sense of security and satisfaction with the status quo, making community members less inclined to explore or support new and potentially disruptive environmental strategies. The stability provided by the mine's resource management practices may inadvertently anchor the community to existing economic structures, reducing their impetus to seek alternative livelihoods or adapt to new socioeconomic conditions. However, it is essential to consider the limitations of this finding. One limitation is the potential bias in community perceptions, where immediate benefits from corporate resource management overshadow long-term considerations for sustainable development. Additionally, the context-specific nature of this study means that these findings may not be universally applicable to all mining communities.
•The study examines CSR and environmental efforts affect the local community's readiness.•This research uncovers the relationship community's willingness to embrace post-mining.•Three main factors were including mine manages resources, policies, and capacity building.•Interestingly, good resource management made the community less eager for change.•Initiatives that built community skills boosted their readiness to adapt.
This study delves into the impact of sustainable innovation on corporate liquidity, specifically examining its influence on cash holdings among companies listed in BRICS nations. The study also ...explores the impact of green innovation on cash holdings before and after COVID-spread. Utilizing the system GMM regression technique on data spanning 2010 to 2022, we scrutinize the relationship between green innovation and cash reserves. Our findings reveal a significant correlation, showcasing that companies actively engaged in sustainable practices maintain lower levels of cash. This suggests a tangible reduction in the necessity for large cash reserves among businesses prioritizing green innovation. Notably, this effect persists even in the post-COVID landscape, highlighting the resilience of sustainability efforts on financial strategies. The influence of green innovation on cash holdings remains robust with diverse firm-specific and macroeconomic variables. The implications underscore the dual benefits of sustainable innovation, contributing not only to environmental sustainability but also enhancing financial efficiency by minimizing excess cash holdings. This study accentuates the imperative of integrating sustainability considerations into financial decision-making, offering practical insights for firms seeking to align sustainability goals with effective financial management. It provides valuable insights for policymakers and investors interested in promoting and supporting green initiatives. This study contributes to the evolving discourse on sustainability and corporate finance by shedding light on a relatively unexplored aspect of the association between green innovation and financial strategies.
•We examine the empirical nexus between green innovation cash holdings.•Green innovation alleviates corporate cash holdings.•Tangibility ratio, firm size, and debt financing are key determinants of cash holdings.•Our results support resource-based view and stakeholder theory.•Green innovation has a dual benefit in shaping environmental sustainability and reduction in cash holdings.
In an era of rapid scientific and technological progress, the concept of sustainable development has become an important framework for addressing the multifaceted problems of resource scarcity, ...environmental degradation and social inequality. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution, principles and practical application of the concept of sustainable development, emphasising the interconnectedness of its three main dimensions: environmental, economic and social. The paper explores the integrity of the concept of sustainable development in different dimensions. The goal of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the evolution, principles and practical application of the concept of sustainable development, emphasising the interconnectedness of environmental, social and economic aspects and their impact on sustainable development. The concept of sustainable development has evolved from early forestry practices to a broader encompassing of environmental, social and economic aspects. The concept gained prominence in the 20th century with the Club of Rome report and the Rio Earth Summit, leading to the widespread adoption of sustainable development as a guiding principle for global development. Central to sustainable development is the idea of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The article identifies three traditional components of sustainable development: environmental, social and economic, and explores their interrelationship. Environmental sustainability focuses on the responsible use of natural resources and pollution management. Economic sustainability emphasises the importance of long-term economic stability and growth, while social sustainability addresses issues of equality, social justice, well-being and quality of life. The intersection of these pillars shows how integrated approaches can contribute to a resilient, equitable and livable environment. The publication highlights the role of sustainable development goals and standards in various areas. By harmonising environmental, economic and social goals, sustainable development offers a pathway to a resilient and prosperous global society. This holistic approach is essential to ensure the well-being of present and future generations in an increasingly interconnected world. The article emphasises the need for coordinated efforts at the local, national and global levels.
Despite the efforts of academics, governments and industries, consumers do not have sufficient environmental education, attitudes and knowledge to change their behaviour. In terms of sustainable ...behaviour, most research has been focused on attitudes, while fewer studies have paid attention to and employed qualitative and quantitative analysis to sustainable behaviour investigation. This paper uses qualitative and quantitative analyses to explain sustainable behaviour and demonstrate the mutual relationships between environmental development, environmental impacts and sustainable behaviours. The results not only fill the gaps in the integration of qualitative and quantitative analyses of sustainable development but also provide theoretical and managerial implications for sustainable development in Taiwan.
The aim of this article is to understand the relationship between two of the Sustainable Development Goals (UN Agenda 2030) – Good health and well-being (SDG 3) and Clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) ...– and the statistics of the COVID-19 pandemic (number of cases and deaths) in Brazilian cities. To analyze this relationship, we used secondary data from public organizations on the SDG panorama by city and conducted a moderated regression analysis. The sample was composed of 649 cities with a population exceeding 50 thousand inhabitants. The results show that the higher were the indicators used to measure SDGs, the lower was the number of cases and deaths from the disease. We have also proved that cities’ population density and their distance from the pandemic epicenter moderate this relationship, since a higher level of these moderation variables increases the impact of a lower level of SDGs 3 and 6 coverage in society on the number of cases and deaths from COVID-19. Thus, the efficient and effective investment to reach SDGs 3 and 6 is directly associated with cities’ ability to successfully deal with infectious diseases and the resulting number of deaths. As for its contribution, this research innovates by establishing a model for analyzing the impact of compliance with SDGs on cities’ performance in their fight against COVID-19, which may also suit other nations.
An issue of Sustainable Environmental Development has occupied a wide range of interests of researchers and economists in some developing countries. The environmental issues are tightly linked to the ...development policies and the environmental grasp is no longer a matter of social welfare, but rather is a matter of economical; social and human dimensions. The research displays a concept of sustainable development, then estimating the impact of two variables: the economic development and the bio-ecological system on the sustainable development of some countries, including Iraq according to the fact that “increasing demand for foods and products in these countries has led them towards the intensive usage of natural resources which has, eventually, impairs the rates of development and contributes in the deterioration of bio-ecological system and impairs the sustainable development. The results of the analysis showed that the environmental ecosystem variable has a greater impact on sustainable environmental development than the economic development variable, which means that the environmental situation of some countries, especially the developing countries, continue to deteriorate, requiring all specialists and governments to make efforts to preserve the ecosystem for future generations.
PDF
