{"title":"Fighting fire with apathy – understanding managers’ perception of the natural environment as a stakeholder in the aftermath of a natural disaster","authors":"Narciso Antunes, Ana Simaens, Patrícia Costa","doi":"10.1108/srj-04-2024-0220","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Purpose</h3>\n<p>This research aims to investigate post-forest fire perceptions of businesses towards the environment as a stakeholder. Through interviews with affected businesses, the authors aim to understand whether disasters prompt sustainability prioritisation beyond legal or market demands, shedding light on potential shifts in environmental attitudes and decision-making processes.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Design/methodology/approach</h3>\n<p>The authors used qualitative methods to investigate post-disaster shifts in environmental perceptions. Using site visits, preparatory meetings and semi-structured interviews between October 2017 and April 2021, the authors gained insights into destruction, recovery efforts and stakeholder perspectives. Content analysis provided valuable decision-making insights, particularly in understanding the landscape dominated by SMEs reliant on short-term strategies.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Findings</h3>\n<p>Interviews revealed varied perspectives on stakeholder recognition, especially concerning the natural environment. Although some managers promptly acknowledged stakeholder groups, the recognition of the natural environment as one varied. Concerning the natural environment as a stakeholder, responses ranged from ecological acknowledgment to denying its stakeholder status. Despite differing views, many agreed on the forest's importance, especially for resource-reliant industries. The findings suggest that although many decision makers verbally acknowledge the natural environment as a stakeholder, their actions reveal the opposite.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Research limitations/implications</h3>\n<p>The limitations are the COVID-19 pandemic in the data research phase. The methodology applied (qualitative) can be a limitation in itself and the authors recommend further research, applying mixed or quantitative methods. The research covers one event in one country. It is relevant to test our questions and conclusions in other countries/after other natural disasters. Incorporating other stakeholders' views and exploring alternative theories could enhance understanding and challenge existing results.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Practical implications</h3>\n<p>This study holds practical implications for understanding the relationship between organisations and the natural environment, particularly in recognising it as a stakeholder. By acknowledging the environment as a stakeholder, organisations can mitigate the effects of future natural disasters, as well as reducing their environmental footprints. Implementing these insights can lead to more informed decision-making processes and contribute to more effective resources and stakeholder management.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Social implications</h3>\n<p>Recognizing the environment as a stakeholder fosters environmental consciousness and community engagement. Addressing the natural environment as such enhances the ownership and responsibility of the surrounding natural environment.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Originality/value</h3>\n<p>The study's originality lies in its exploration of organisational responses to natural disasters, particularly in recognizing the environment as a stakeholder. It offers unique insights into decision-making processes and attitudes towards environmental responsibility, contributing to advancing understanding and informing strategies for sustainable disaster management on a global scale.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->","PeriodicalId":47615,"journal":{"name":"Social Responsibility Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Social Responsibility Journal","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/srj-04-2024-0220","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"MANAGEMENT","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to investigate post-forest fire perceptions of businesses towards the environment as a stakeholder. Through interviews with affected businesses, the authors aim to understand whether disasters prompt sustainability prioritisation beyond legal or market demands, shedding light on potential shifts in environmental attitudes and decision-making processes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used qualitative methods to investigate post-disaster shifts in environmental perceptions. Using site visits, preparatory meetings and semi-structured interviews between October 2017 and April 2021, the authors gained insights into destruction, recovery efforts and stakeholder perspectives. Content analysis provided valuable decision-making insights, particularly in understanding the landscape dominated by SMEs reliant on short-term strategies.
Findings
Interviews revealed varied perspectives on stakeholder recognition, especially concerning the natural environment. Although some managers promptly acknowledged stakeholder groups, the recognition of the natural environment as one varied. Concerning the natural environment as a stakeholder, responses ranged from ecological acknowledgment to denying its stakeholder status. Despite differing views, many agreed on the forest's importance, especially for resource-reliant industries. The findings suggest that although many decision makers verbally acknowledge the natural environment as a stakeholder, their actions reveal the opposite.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations are the COVID-19 pandemic in the data research phase. The methodology applied (qualitative) can be a limitation in itself and the authors recommend further research, applying mixed or quantitative methods. The research covers one event in one country. It is relevant to test our questions and conclusions in other countries/after other natural disasters. Incorporating other stakeholders' views and exploring alternative theories could enhance understanding and challenge existing results.
Practical implications
This study holds practical implications for understanding the relationship between organisations and the natural environment, particularly in recognising it as a stakeholder. By acknowledging the environment as a stakeholder, organisations can mitigate the effects of future natural disasters, as well as reducing their environmental footprints. Implementing these insights can lead to more informed decision-making processes and contribute to more effective resources and stakeholder management.
Social implications
Recognizing the environment as a stakeholder fosters environmental consciousness and community engagement. Addressing the natural environment as such enhances the ownership and responsibility of the surrounding natural environment.
Originality/value
The study's originality lies in its exploration of organisational responses to natural disasters, particularly in recognizing the environment as a stakeholder. It offers unique insights into decision-making processes and attitudes towards environmental responsibility, contributing to advancing understanding and informing strategies for sustainable disaster management on a global scale.
期刊介绍:
The Social Responsibility Journal, the official journal of the Social Responsibility Research Network, is interdisciplinary in its scope and encourages submissions from any discipline or any part of the world which addresses any element of the journal''s aims. The journal encompasses the full range of theoretical, methodological and substantive debates in the area of social responsibility. Contributions which address the link between different disciplines and / or implications for societal, organisational or individual behavior are especially encouraged. The journal publishes theoretical and empirical papers, speculative essays and review articles. The journal also publishes special themed issues under the guidance of a guest editor. Coverage: Accountability and accounting- Issues concerning sustainability- Economy and finance- Governance- Stakeholder interactions- Ecology and environment- Corporate activity and behaviour- Ethics and morality- Governmental and trans-governmental regulation- Globalisation and disintermediation- Individuals and corporate citizenship- Transparency and disclosure- Consumption and its consequences- Corporate and other forms of organization