Corporate Social Responsibility: the accountability of companies operating in emerging economies

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2017-03-23
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en
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Abstract
This study aims to gain more insights in the environmental performance of companies operating in emerging markets. More specifically, this study examined to what extent companies that adopt environmental management systems (e.g. ISO 14001 standards) or self-regulation mechanisms (e.g. Environmental policy or Climate change policy) in emerging markets, in particular Brazil, truly behave in an environmental responsible way. This study examined whether companies that are more experienced with an environmental management system have a higher environmental performance. This was done by examining whether these companies are taking actions in order to reduce their usage of water, electricity, fuel, wood, and coal. The data was obtained from an in-depth survey originated from the AnĂ¡lise environmental Management yearbook. The results show that companies that are more experienced with ISO 14001 standards significantly have more actions to reduce water, electricity and fuel usage. This also concerns to firms that have self-regulation mechanisms in. Here, it was found that companies with an Environmental policy truly act more responsible than companies who do not have an Environmental policy. Next to this, , it was found that a Climate change policy is also an influencer for behaving in a more environmental responsible way. The significant results show that self-regulation mechanisms and environmental management systems have a significant influence on the actual environmental performance of companies, in relation to actions for reducing water, electricity, and fuel usage. However, no significant effects were found in relation to wood and coal usage.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen