Do Personal Values Influence the Propensity for Sustainability Actions? A Policy-Capturing Study

Joel Marcus, Heather A. MacDonald, Lorne M. Sulsky

Journal of Business Ethics · 2015 · Volume 127 · Issue 2

DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-2032-4

Abstract

Using a policy-capturing approach with a broad student sample we examine how individuals’ economic, social and environmental values influence their propensity to engage in a broad range of sustainability-related corporate actions. We employ a multi-dimensional sustainability framework of corporate actions and account for both the positive and negative impacts associated with corporate activity—termed strength and concern actions, respectively. Strong economic values were found to increase the propensity for concern actions and the willingness to work in controversial industries. Individuals with balanced values were as likely as those with strong economic values to pursue positive economic outcomes, but without the same downside potential for concern actions. We also found significant gender effects, with females being less likely to engage in concern actions and more supportive of social and environmental strength actions.

Keywords

Personal values, Corporate actions propensity, Sustainability, Policy-capturing, Gender

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