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The influence of national culture on business organizations' commitment to environment sustainability in the European Union

Author

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  • Alexandra Cotae

    (Management and Economic Engineering Department, Faculty of Machine Building, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Center for Innovation and Organizational Sustainability, Romania , Multicultural Business Institute, Romania)

  • Laura Bacali

    (Management and Economic Engineering Department, Faculty of Machine Building, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

The current paper provides information on the way national culture with its specific characteristics influences business organizations across the European Union countries in their decisions to implement Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices, environmental sustainability initiatives and their eco-innovation performance. We reviewed an array of economy literature approaching the concepts of sustainable development, CSR, environmental performance, eco-innovation in relation to Geert Hofstede’s theory on culture and the six cultural dimensions. The paper offers an overview of the CSR practices and preferences around the world, with a focus on Corporate Environmental Responsibility, followed by a presentation of decision models of European SMEs in adopting circular economy practices correlated with the eco-innovation performance of the EU countries. While there is a certain link between the environmental performance of firms and the cultural background and economic development of their host country, we must address the specific social, political, economic, historic context of the country society in order to find the personalized solutions for the improvement of circular economy practices among its organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Cotae & Laura Bacali, 2017. "The influence of national culture on business organizations' commitment to environment sustainability in the European Union," Review of Applied Socio-Economic Research, Pro Global Science Association, vol. 14(2), pages 19-29, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:rse:wpaper:v:14:y:2017:i:2:p:19-29
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Goran Radovanović & Ljiljana Miletić & Samed Karović & Marijana Dukić Mijatović & Milan Bubulj, 2022. "Influence of National Culture in Companies with Different Ownership on Employees’ CSR Perception in a Developing Country: The Case of Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sustainable development; circular economy; multiculturalism; environmental performance; Corporate Social Responsibility; enterprises.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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