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Transforming Agriculture for a Sustainable Future: Economic, Ethical, and Environmental Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Delia-Mioara Popescu

    (Doctoral School of Economics and Humanities, Valahia University of Targoviste, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Targoviste, Romania)

  • Mircea-Constantin Duica

    (Faculty of Economics, Valahia University of Targoviste, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Targoviste, Romania)

  • Nicoleta-Mihaela Duta (Ghita)

    (Doctoral School of Economics and Humanities, Valahia University of Targoviste, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Targoviste, Romania)

  • Anisoara Duica

    (Doctoral School of Economics and Humanities, Valahia University of Targoviste, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Targoviste, Romania)

  • Cristina-Maria Voinea

    (Faculty of Economics, Valahia University of Targoviste, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Targoviste, Romania)

  • George Stanescu

    (Doctoral School of Economics and Humanities, Valahia University of Targoviste, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Targoviste, Romania)

Abstract

The agricultural sector stands at the intersection of economic, ethical, and environmental concerns, presenting complex challenges for sustainable development. This study investigates how ethical attitudes, conceptualized at political (e.g., perceptions of transparency, anti-corruption, and policy fairness) and social levels (e.g., community engagement, labor standards, and social equity), influence ethical behavior within Romanian agricultural organizations. Additionally, it explores the impact of sector-specific and organizational ethics on the adoption of social responsibility (SR) practices. Using a quantitative research approach, the study employed a structured questionnaire covering four key dimensions: political and social ethics, corporate responsibility, environmental sustainability, and ethical management in agriculture. The findings suggested that Romanian agricultural companies could improve their long-term competitiveness by incorporating ethical governance, sustainable business practices, and stakeholder engagement into their strategic frameworks. These findings suggest that Romanian agricultural companies can enhance their long-term competitiveness by embedding ethical governance, sustainable business models, and active stakeholder engagement into their strategic frameworks. This research contributes to the theoretical discourse by demonstrating how contextual ethical attitudes influence SR, providing a nuanced understanding of the interplay between economic performance, social equity, and environmental responsibility in an emerging economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Delia-Mioara Popescu & Mircea-Constantin Duica & Nicoleta-Mihaela Duta (Ghita) & Anisoara Duica & Cristina-Maria Voinea & George Stanescu, 2025. "Transforming Agriculture for a Sustainable Future: Economic, Ethical, and Environmental Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5518-:d:1679652
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    References listed on IDEAS

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