Challenges and opportunities for implementing green management practices in Iranian industries: Perspectives from managers
الموضوعات :Alireza Nobari 1 , Seyedmohammadbagher Mireskandari 2
1 - Department of Management, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Saveh, Iran
2 - Department of Management, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Saveh, Iran
الکلمات المفتاحية: Sustainability, Sanctions, Green Management, Government policies, Iranian managers, societal pressure,
ملخص المقالة :
This article investigated the application of green management (GM) in Iranian industries and the relevant challenges. The primary objective was to pinpoint the challenges and opportunities Iranian managers face in adopting GM practices. Findings from unstructured interviews with 73 managers in various sectors highlighted significant insights into GM and its hurdles in Iran. The central issue revolved around the intricate interplay of economic, technological, governmental, societal, and managerial factors influencing GM adoption. Analysis using NVivo software uncovered five key themes: economic concerns, technological limitations, government and legislation impacts, societal factors, and managerial considerations. While economic concerns take precedence, Iranian managers recognize the potential benefits of GM, i.e. cost reduction and financial incentives, though they also face obstacles like limited access to green technologies and international sanctions. Government policies play a vital role, with uneven enforcement of GM regulations and incentives for GM adoption. Societal pressure and awareness are driving GM adoption and influencing branding and production costs. Managerial decisions also indicated a willingness to embrace GM practices, provided barriers are addressed. In sum, Iranian managers exhibited a genuine interest in GM and its positive impacts, despite challenges like restricted technology access and sanctions. This study underscores the necessity of lifting sanctions, crafting clearer government policies, and offering support to promote GM in Iran, providing crucial insights for policymakers and businesses striving to foster sustainability in a complex environment.
Banerjee, S. B. 2001. Managerial perceptions of corporate environmentalism: Interpretations from industry and strategic implications for organizations. Journal of management studies, 38, (4) 489-513.
Berry, M. A. and D. A. Rondinelli. 1998. Proactive corporate environmental management: A new industrial revolution. Academy of Management Perspectives, 12, (2) 38-50.
Bhangu, S., F. Provost and C. Caduff. 2023. Introduction to qualitative research methods–Part I. Perspectives in Clinical Research, 14, (1) 39.
Braun, V. and V. Clarke. 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3, (2) 77-101.
Creswell, J. W. and J. D. Creswell. 2017. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications
Elkington, J. and I. H. Rowlands. 1999. Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st century business. Alternatives Journal, 25, (4) 42.
Haden, S. S. P., J. D. Oyler and J. H. Humphreys. 2009. Historical, practical, and theoretical perspectives on green management: An exploratory analysis. Management decision, 47, (7) 1041-1055.
Li, Z., G. Liao and K. Albitar. 2020. Does corporate environmental responsibility engagement affect firm value? The mediating role of corporate innovation. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29, (3) 1045-1055.
Mehling, M. A. 2023. Supply-Side crediting for accelerated decarbonization: A political economy perspective. Available at SSRN 4491703,
Menguc, B., S. Auh and L. Ozanne. 2010. The interactive effect of internal and external factors on a proactive environmental strategy and its influence on a firm's performance. Journal of business ethics, 94, 279-298.
Nattrass, B. and M. Altomare. 1999. The natural step for business: Wealth, ecology and the evolutionary corporation. New Society Publishers
Ortiz‐De‐Mandojana, N., P. Bansal and J. A. Aragón‐Correa. 2019. Older and wiser: How CEOs’ time perspective influences long‐term investments in environmentally responsible technologies. British Journal of Management, 30, (1) 134-150.
Raharjo, K. 2019. The role of green management in creating sustainability performance on the small and medium enterprises. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 30, (3) 557-577.
Suk, S., X. Liu and K. Sudo. 2013. A survey study of energy saving activities of industrial companies in the Republic of Korea. Journal of Cleaner Production, 41, 301-311.