A paper co-authored by Appalachian Associate Professor of Management Rajat Panwar has been published in Business Strategy and the Environment.
The paper, entitled "Toward A Place-Based Understanding of Business Sustainability: The Role of Green Competitors and Green Locales in Firms' Voluntary Environmental Engagement" compiles research about environmental practices in business.
The research is from Panwar and colleagues Jennifer DeBoer, University of British Columbia and Jorge Rivera, George Washington University.
From the abstract:
Management research has extensively considered who, what, when, why, which and how aspects pertaining to firms' voluntary environmental practices, yet the where aspect, which would consider the role of a firm's location on its environmental practices, has received remarkably less attention. We explore three research questions relating social and physical attributes of a firm's location with its engagement in a voluntary environmental program (VEP). Drawing on a sample of hotels participating in a Costa Rican VEP, we find that the number of VEP certified competitors (i.e. green competitors) and firm proximity to a sacrosanct environment (i.e. a green locale) are positively related to a firm's level of VEP engagement. We also find an interaction effect such that the relationship between the number of VEP certified competitors and the level of VEP engagement is positively moderated by firm proximity to a green locale. We argue that firms' voluntary environmental engagement can be enhanced by developing green clusters amid green corridors.
Panwar joined the faculty at Appalachian in 2016.
About Sustainable Business at Appalachian
The Walker College of Business is committed to advancing sustainable business practices that promote responsible management of economic, social and natural resources. The theory and practice of sustainable business recognizes that the economy, environment and society (the triple bottom line) are interconnected and interdependent, and strives to enhance the business model so that it can flourish and thrive to benefit future generations. The college offers sustainable business-oriented degrees at the minor level (Minor in Sustainable Business) available to business and non-business majors; bachelor degree level (BA in Environmental Economics and Policy); and the master's level (MBA with a concentration in Sustainable Business. We focus on student engagement, research and community involvement. More Information
Rajat Panwar
