Subject. The article addresses greenwashing as a process of conveying a false impression or misleading information about the level of environmental safety of a company, analyzes the influence of corporate governance on the strategy of information disclosure of in the field of ecology. Objectives. The aim is to conduct a systematic review of the literature on greenwashing issues, identify causes and consequences of this phenomenon, and determine the role of shareholders and corporate governance in the decision-making process on greenwashing in companies. Methods. This study is a scientific essay with a review of the literature. Results. The paper identifies factors influencing the greenwashing strategy in corporations, i.e. an increase in the number of independent directors, growth of institutional ownership, and reduction of corruption, which reduce the use of such practices. However, the size of the board of directors does not have a significant impact in this case. The results of the study can be used by companies to develop strategies for corporate social responsibility in the field of ecology. They can also be useful for society and consumers to recognize outdated practices or deceptive marketing techniques. Conclusions. Greenwashing masks the real impact on the environment, making it critical to develop stakeholder awareness and act responsibly towards a more sustainable and ethical approach to corporate environmental responsibility.
Keywords: greenwashing, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder, greenwashing behaviour
References:
Seele P., Shultz M.D. From greenwashing to machinewashing: A model and future directions derived from reasoning by analogy. Journal of Business Ethics, 2022, vol. 178, pp. 1063–1089. DOI: 10.1007/s10551-022-05054-9 EDN: DABUFJ
Ma Y., Ahmad M.I. Do board characteristics impact greenwashing? Moderating role of CSR committee. Heliyon, 2024, vol. 10, iss. 20. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38743 EDN: OFUAPI
Lee M.T., Raschke R.L. Stakeholder legitimacy in firm greening and financial performance: What about greenwashing temptations? Journal of Business Research, 2023, vol. 155, part B, 113393. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113393 EDN: THXUVL
Seele P., Gatti L. Greenwashing revisited: In search of a typology and accusation-based definition incorporating legitimacy strategies. Business Strategy and the Environment, 2017, vol. 26, iss. 2, pp. 239–252. DOI: 10.1002/bse.1912
Cooper S.A., Raman K.K., Yin J. Halo effect or fallen angel effect? Firm value consequences of greenhouse gas emissions and reputation for corporate social responsibility. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 2018, vol. 37, iss. 3, pp. 226–240. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2018.04.003
Zharfpeykan R. Representative account or greenwashing? Voluntary sustainability reports in Australia's mining/metals and financial services industries. Business Strategy and the Environment, 2021, vol. 30, iss. 4, pp. 2209–2223. DOI: 10.1002/bse.2744 EDN: PQIPJY
Velte P. Archival research on integrated reporting: A systematic review of main drivers and the impact of integrated reporting on firm value. Journal of Management and Governance, 2022, vol. 26, pp. 997–1061. DOI: 10.1007/s10997-021-09582-w EDN: OEYORO
Marquis C., Toffel M.W., Zhou Y. Scrutiny, norms, and selective disclosure: A global study of greenwashing. Organization Science, 2016, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 233–504. DOI: 10.1287/orsc.2015.1039
Li W., Li W., Seppänen V., Koivumäki T. Effects of greenwashing on financial performance: Moderation through local environmental regulation and media coverage. Business Strategy and the Environment, 2023, vol. 32, iss. 1, pp. 820–841. DOI: 10.1002/bse.3177 EDN: MFYVUX
Gatti L., Seele P., Rademacher L. Grey zone in – greenwash out. A review of greenwashing research and implications for the voluntary-mandatory transition of CSR. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, 2019, vol. 4. DOI: 10.1186/s40991-019-0044-9
Dimitrieska S., Stankovska A., Efremova T. The Six Sins of Greenwashing. Economics and Management, Faculty of Economics, South-West University "Neofit Rilski", Blagoevgrad, 2017, vol. 13(2), pp. 82–89.
De Freitas Netto S.V., Sobral M.F.F., Ribeiro A.R.B., da Luz Soares G.R. Concepts and forms of greenwashing: A systematic review. Environmental Sciences Europe, 2020, vol. 32. DOI: 10.1186/s12302-020-0300-3 EDN: ALHVHE
Sharma S., Vredenburg H. Proactive corporate environmental strategy and the development of competitively valuable organizational capabilities. Strategic Management Journal, 1998, vol. 19, iss. 8, pp. 729–753. DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199808)19:8<729::AID-SMJ967>3.0.CO;2-4
Roberts R.W. Determinants of corporate social responsibility disclosure: An application of stakeholder theory. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 1992, vol. 17, iss. 6, pp. 595–612. DOI: 10.1016/0361-3682(92)90015-K
Friedman A.L., Miles S. Developing stakeholder theory. Journal of Management Studies, 2002, vol. 39, iss. 1, pp. 1–21. DOI: 10.1111/1467-6486.00280
Chen P., Dagestani A.A. Greenwashing behavior and firm value - From the perspective of board characteristics. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2023, vol. 30, iss. 5, pp. 2330–2343. DOI: 10.1002/csr.2488 EDN: IQQZWC
Ardito L., Dangelico R.M., Petruzzelli A.M. The link between female representation in the boards of directors and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from B corps. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2021, vol. 28, iss. 2, pp. 704–720. DOI: 10.1002/csr.2082 EDN: KXTNAX
Petrenko O.V., Aime F., Ridge J., Hill A. Corporate social responsibility or CEO narcissism? CSR motivations and organizational performance. Strategic Management Journal, 2016, vol. 37, iss. 2, pp. 262–279. DOI: 10.1002/smj.2348
Larkin M.B., Bernardi R.A., Bosco S.M. Does female representation on boards of directors associate with increased transparency and ethical behavior? Accounting and the Public Interest, 2013, vol. 13, iss. 1, pp. 132–150. DOI: 10.2308/apin-10374
Kujala J., Pietiläinen T. Female managers' ethical decision-making: A multidimensional approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 2004, vol. 53, pp. 153–163. DOI: 10.1023/B:BUSI.0000039405.20533.1c EDN: BNGVWY
Liao Z., Zhang M., Wang X. Do female directors influence firms' environmental innovation? The moderating role of ownership type. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2019, vol. 26, iss. 1, pp. 257–263. DOI: 10.1002/csr.1677
Al-Najjar B., Salama A. Mind the gap: Are female directors and executives more sensitive to the environment in high-tech US firms? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 2022, vol. 184, 122024. DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122024 EDN: TTKBNE
Yang Z., Nguyen T.T.H., Nguyen, H.N. et al. Greenwashing behaviours: Causes, taxonomy and consequences based on a systematic literature review. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 2020, vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 1486–1507. DOI: 10.3846/jbem.2020.13225 EDN: IDGISG
Rahman I., Park J., Chi C.G.Q. Consequences of "greenwashing": Consumers' reactions to hotels' green initiatives. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 2015, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. 1054–1081. DOI: 10.1108/IJCHM-04-2014-0202
Ratner S., Gomonov K., Revinova S., Lazanyuk I. Ecolabeling as a Policy Instrument for More Sustainable Development: The Evidence of Supply and Demand Interactions from Russia. Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, iss. 17. DOI: 10.3390/su13179581 EDN: JZLLGD
Yu E.P.Y., Van Luu B., Chen C.H. Greenwashing in environmental, social and governance disclosures. Research in International Business and Finance, 2020, vol. 52, 101192. DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2020.101192 EDN: QYILUL
Flammer C. Corporate green bonds. Journal of Financial Economics, 2021, vol. 142, iss. 2, pp. 499–516. DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.01.010 EDN: LEYIDK
Delmas M.A., Burbano V.C. The drivers of greenwashing. California Management Review, 2011, vol. 54, iss. 1, pp. 64–87. DOI: 10.1525/cmr.2011.54.1.64
Shi D., Lu S., Fang Z. The effect of executive green human capital on greenwashing. Research in International Business and Finance, 2024, vol. 71, 102461. DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2024.102461 EDN: SCEYWG