Fighting fire with apathy – understanding managers’ perception of the natural environment as a stakeholder in the aftermath of a natural disaster

IF 2.9 Q2 MANAGEMENT
Narciso Antunes, Ana Simaens, Patrícia Costa
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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.

用冷漠灭火--了解管理人员在自然灾害发生后将自然环境视为利益相关者的观念
目的本研究旨在调查森林火灾后企业对环境这一利益相关者的看法。通过对受影响企业的访谈,作者旨在了解灾难是否会促使企业在法律或市场需求之外优先考虑可持续发展,从而揭示环境态度和决策过程的潜在转变。在 2017 年 10 月至 2021 年 4 月期间,作者通过实地考察、筹备会议和半结构式访谈,深入了解了破坏情况、恢复工作和利益相关者的观点。内容分析提供了有价值的决策见解,特别是在理解依赖短期战略的中小企业主导的格局方面。研究结果访谈显示了对利益相关者认可的不同观点,特别是在自然环境方面。尽管一些管理者迅速承认了利益相关者群体,但对自然环境作为利益相关者群体的认识却不尽相同。关于自然环境作为利益相关者的问题,回答从承认其生态地位到否认其利益相关者地位不等。尽管观点不一,但许多人都认同森林的重要性,尤其是对依赖资源的产业而言。研究结果表明,尽管许多决策者在口头上承认自然环境是利益相关者,但他们的行动却显示出相反的情况。采用的方法(定性)本身也是一种限制,作者建议进一步研究,采用混合或定量方法。研究涉及一个国家的一个事件。在其他国家/其他自然灾害发生后检验我们的问题和结论是有意义的。本研究对理解组织与自然环境之间的关系,尤其是将自然环境视为利益相关者具有实际意义。通过承认环境是利益相关者,组织可以减轻未来自然灾害的影响,并减少其环境足迹。社会影响将环境视为利益相关者可以培养环境意识和社区参与。本研究的独创性在于其对组织应对自然灾害的探索,特别是在将环境视为利益相关者方面。它为决策过程和对环境责任的态度提供了独特的见解,有助于加深对全球范围内可持续灾害管理战略的理解并为其提供信息。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
7.30
自引率
6.20%
发文量
65
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
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