Investigating the Impact of Institutional Dynamics on Environmental Sustainability through the Mediating Role of Organizational Social Responsibility: A Quantitative Analysis in Takab Region, West Azerbaijan Province
Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Rangeland Management Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor. Iran.
2 Department of Rangeland Management Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) Noor P.O.Box (46417-76489), Mazandaran Province, Iran.
3 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Karaj. Iran.
4 Department of Geography, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract
This study examines the influence of interactive behavior among institutional actors on environmental sustainability, mediated by organizational social responsibility, within the framework of a socio-ecological system. Organizational social responsibility is conceptualized as the commitment of institutions to the societal and environmental consequences of their decisions, and its effectiveness is shaped through interaction with institutional dynamics. The research is applied in nature and employs a descriptive–analytical method with a quantitative approach, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) and SmartPLS software for data analysis.
The statistical population includes organizational actors operating in governmental institutions and active mining enterprises in Takab County, located in West Azerbaijan Province. Initially, relevant criteria and their interrelationships were identified and structured into a conceptual model, followed by hypothesis testing. The results revealed that institutional dynamics have a positive and significant effect on organizational social responsibility (β = 0.541; t = 12.325) and environmental sustainability (β = 0.384; t = 5.932). This result suggests that institutional trust and participation can directly strengthen organizations' commitment to social responsibility. Furthermore, organizational social responsibility also exerts a positive and significant influence on environmental sustainability (β = 0.418; t = 6.866), with its mediating role in the relationship between institutional dynamics and environmental sustainability assessed as partial and of moderate strength.
Based on these findings, it can be concluded that enhancing institutional dynamics and strengthening organizational social responsibility, particularly within governmental and industrial sectors, can improve environmental performance and promote sustainability at the regional level. However, these factors alone are not sufficient to achieve comprehensive sustainable development and must be complemented by other structural and managerial components.
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