Challenges On the Path Toward Sustainability in Europe:Social Responsibility and Circular Economy Perspectives

Description

Challenges on the Path Toward Sustainability in Europe provides readers with guidance on sustainable actions at firm, consumer and institutional level. It studies the wide ranging challenges of implementing the sustainable development goals in Europe, while also addressing the challenges for key stakeholders in the economy. Vesna abkar and Tjaa Redek offer a theoretical and empirical approach to addressing sustainable development, providing rich data analysis at cross-country level, as well as practical examples from the European context. Its scientific outlook is based on extensive theoretical and empirical data analysis, however refraining from an extensively technical approach. Challenges on the Path Toward Sustainability in Europe is of direct relevance to both academics and practitioners seeking to expand their practical knowledge the subject as well as a richer theoretical background for analysing this field at the intersection of environmental and resource economics. Half Title Page Titile Page Copyright Page Contents About the Contributors The Challenges on the Path Toward Sustainability in the EU What is Sustainability? What are the Main Challenges on the Path Toward Sustainability for EU What is in this Book References PART I-WHERE DOES EUROPE STAND? Sustainable Development Goals in the EU and the Challenges in Their Implementation Sustainable Development Goals in the EU and the Challenges in Their Implementation Sustainable Development at the Global Level Sustainable Development as Policy Priority in the EU Challenges in Progress Toward Sustainable Development in the EU Conclusion References How Far is the European Union from Sustainable Development Goals? How Far is the European Union from Sustainable Development Goals? EU Progress Toward the SDGs SDGs with Significant Progress SDGs with Moderate Movement Away SDGs with Moderate Progress Progress in Other Areas Progress Toward SDGs in the Old and New EU Members Score Value Comparison Between for Each of the SDGs Between Old and New EU Members SDG Indicators with the Biggest Difference Between Old and New EU Members Conclusion References PART II-THE CORPORATE AND CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE Strategic CSR: Mapping the State-of-the-Art INTRODUCTION Methods Data Acquisition and Preparation Data Analysis Research and Analysis Analysis of Leading Journals and References Co-word Analysis Discussion and Conclusions References Toward Better Understanding of the Corporate Sustainability Concept Corporate Sustainability – Definition and Development of the Concept Three Dimensions of Corporate Sustainability Natural Capital/Planet Social Capital/People Non-substitutability, Irreversibility and Non-linearity of Capital Depletion The Need for the Inclusion of Sustainability in Strategic Management Environmental Issues in Strategic Management Social Issues in Strategic Management Understanding the Motives for and Results of Corporate Sustainability Results of Corporate Sustainability Strategies DISCUSSION AND SUGGESTIONS Suggestions for Further Research References Why Does a Firm Go Bankrupt? Introduction Predicting Corporate Bankruptcy from Accounting Data Dataset Capital Structure Theory and Firm Survival Determinants of Firm Survival Summary and Implications References Innovation for a Greener and More Profitable Future: A Conceptual Approach Innovation for a Greener and More Profitable Future: A Conceptual Approach Innovation Performance and Green Innovation Around the World Innovation Activities at the Level of Companies Innovation Policy for More Green Innovations Conclusion References Environmental-sustainability Aspect in the Outsourcing of Business-logistics Services Introduction Theoretical Background GLPs and Environmental Sustainability Research Design and Methodology Research Results and Discussion Policies and Recommendations with Emphasis on European Union Conclusion References Sustainable Market Exchange from the Consumer Perspective Introduction Sustainable Market Exchange: Proposition of a Framework Sustainable Market Exchange Sustainability Dimensions Sustainability Drivers Sustainability Spheres and Stakeholders Methodology Measures Results Discussion References PART III-THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND REGULATORY CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT National Transfer Accounts Indicators of Economic Dependency in the EU Countries Introduction Methodological Framework Market Part of the Economy Unpaid Work Dependency Indicators Results NTA Dependency Ratio NTTA Dependency Ratio Discussion and Conclusions References Promoting Well-being Through Intergenerational Transfers and Gender Equality in 25 EU Countries Introduction The NTA Theoretical Background Overlapping Generations’ Model The Lifecycle Theory Motives for Reallocation and Direction of Flows Welfare Regimes Characteristics of Different Welfare Regimes Linkage Between Transfer Systems and Welfare Regimes Methodological Framework Public Reallocations Private Reallocations Measuring Cross-country Differences in the Intergenerational Transfer Systems and Gender Equality Promotion Results Conclusions References The Importance of Human Capital for Sustainability Introduction Literature Review Data and Methodological Framework Results Conclusions References Reinforcement of Social Sustainability through Education and Public Intangible Capital Introduction Theoretical Background Education and Social Aspects of Sustainable Development in Europe Inequality and Poverty in Europe Investment in Education, Well-being, Inequality and Social Sustainability Education Investment and the Role of the State Policy Implications and Conclusion References Over-regulation, Degradation of the Rule of Law and Implementation of Sustainable Practices Over-regulation and Degradation of the Rule of Law as Impediments to the Effective Implementation of Sustainable Practices Theoretical Mechanisms at Work Sustainable Development and the Role of the Legal System A Synthesis of Law and Economics Scholarship: Toward an Optimal Regulatory Framework The Golden Rule of Thumb – Regulatory Intervention Merely in Cases of Market Failures Economic Efficiency and Wealth Maximization Should be the Normative Criterion for the Design of Rules The Economics of Federalism and the Optimal Vertical Regulatory Structure Over-regulation and Excessive Regulatory Activity as an Obstacle to the Sustainable Development Degradation of the Rule of Law as the Main Impediment to the Implementation of Sustainable Practices Toward a Sustainable Europe in 2030 – A Legal Agenda Reflection Paper on Sustainable Development Goals Comment on the “Governance and Ensuring Policy Coherence at All Levels” Conclusion References Toward a Sustainable Future: Challenges Ahead Ambitious Goals and Wide Cross-country Differences A Joint Action of Consumers and Companies Toward a Sustainable Future The Limits to Growth and Broader Social Component Policy Challenges Internalizing the 2030 Agenda into a National Development Strategy Megatrends, Scenarios, and Disruptions Building SDGs Partnerships Linking Sustainable Policies to the Budget References Index