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Environmental Upgrading of Developing Country Firms in Global Value Chains

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  • Mohamed Akli Achabou
  • Sihem Dekhili
  • Mohamed Hamdoun

Abstract

While the strategic management literature on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is abundant, it tends to consider the context of developed countries, with a focus on certain specific issues such as the strategic behaviour of firms with regard to sustainable development and the economic benefits of CSR practices. The present study examines the influence of western organizations on responsible corporate behaviour in developing countries, an issue that has been somewhat neglected in the existing academic literature. In particular, it explores the environmental upgrading of developing country firms in global value chains. This research, conducted with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, involves 24 Tunisian olive oil companies. The findings indicate that exporting companies have indeed benefited from environmental upgrading, but, because of the cooperation strategy adopted by leading western firms (imposition of standards) and the absence of financial and technical assistance, the extent of environmental upgrading remains limited. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Akli Achabou & Sihem Dekhili & Mohamed Hamdoun, 2017. "Environmental Upgrading of Developing Country Firms in Global Value Chains," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(2), pages 224-238, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:26:y:2017:i:2:p:224-238
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.1911
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    7. Roberta Souza Piao & Vivian Lara Silva & Irene Navarro del Aguila & Jerónimo de Burgos Jiménez, 2021. "Green Growth and Agriculture in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-13, January.
    8. Bu, Maoliang & Hatani, Faith & Holtbrügge, Dirk & Van Assche, Ari, 2025. "Multinational enterprises and sustainable business in emerging markets," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(3).
    9. Liang Lv & Lidong Fan & Bin Meng & Mohammad Zoynul Abedin & Haoyue Feng, 2023. "A Combined Evaluation Method of Corporate Social Responsibility Based on the Difference and Similarity: A Case Study of Transportation Industry in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-25, March.
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