Sustainability and competitiveness in Mexico

Abstract

Purpose -This paper summarizes the findings of a research project aimed at benchmarking the environmental sustainability practices of the top 500 Mexican companies. Design/methodology/approach -The paper surveyed the firms with regard to various aspects of their adoption of environmental sustainability practices, including who or what prompted adoption, future adoption plans, decision-making responsibility, and internal/external challenges. The survey also explored how the adoption of environmental sustainability practices relates to the competitiveness of these firms. Findings -The results suggest that Mexican companies are very active in the various areas of business where environmental sustainability is relevant. Not surprisingly, however, the Mexican companies are seen to be at an early stage of development along the sustainability "learning curve". Research limitations/implications -The sample consisted of 103 self-selected firms representing the six primary business sectors in the Mexican economy. Because the manufacturing sector is significantly overrepresented in the sample and because of its importance in addressing issues of environmental sustainability, when appropriate, specific results for this sector are reported and contrasted to the overall sample. Practical implications -The vast majority of these firms see adopting environmental sustainability practices as being profitable and think this will be even more important in the future. Originality/value -Improving the environmental performance of business firms through the adoption of sustainability practices is compatible with competitiveness and improved financial performance. In Mexico, one might expect that the same would be true, but only anecdotal evidence was heretofore available.

Modeling corporate sustainability strategy

“…Larger firms typically possess an awareness of environmental sustainability as a significant factor for competiveness and a desire to identify means to attain industry leadership. The study used the survey results originally reported in Aigner and Lloret (2013) to show the drivers of sustainability practices from the perspective of the corporate sustainability business model developed in this study.…”

“…The authors also find support for the idea that firms that have previously participated in a "supranational" program such as the UN Global Compact are very motivated to participate. Finally, Aigner and Lloret (2013) surveyed large Mexican firms and found that companies are active in the areas of business where environmental sustainability is relevant. According to the study results, Mexican companies are in the early stages of development along the sustainability "learning curve" (Aigner & Lloret, 2013).…”

Regulatory Limits to Corporate Sustainability: How Climate Change Law and Energy Reforms in Mexico May Impair Sustainability Practices in Mexican Firms

“…The respondents of the study were cautions of the external constrained to avoid fines, penalties, sanctions, or bad publicity. Finally, Aigner & Lloret [65] generated information on various aspects related to the adoption of practices of environmental sustainability and the responsibility for decision-making regarding environmental challenges. The study found that Mexican firms have numerous drivers to invest in environmental activities, and that these firms are investing at increasing rates, suggesting that firms are in an early adoption stage.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility in Supply Chain Management: Thai Auto Parts Industry

“…Also, supply chain management (SCM) in industry is favorable to operate to add value in the chain and company (Andersen & Skjoett-Larsen, 2009;Bak&Boulocher-Passet, 2013). The goal of SCM is to minimize total cost, maximize customer satisfaction, and add value to the product chain that used a variety of natural resources and energy while causing minimal waste and pollution to the community and the environment (Xia & Tang, 2011;Aigner & Lloret, 2013). This pollution problem can be solved by sustainable supply chain management (United Nations Environment Programme, 2014).…”