Performance Drivers in a Sustainability-Oriented Economy

Petcu Alma Maria () and Theodorescu Andreea ()
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Petcu Alma Maria: The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania
Theodorescu Andreea: The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania

Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, 2025, vol. 19, issue 1, 1429-1439

Abstract: A sustainable agri-food system is characterized by its ability to ensure economic sustainability, thereby fostering long-term financial viability, to create broad benefits for society, promoting social sustainability, and to contribute to environmental sustainability. The sustainable development of companies is predicated on financial performance, which is instrumental in satisfying the demands of all interested parties. A focus on sustainability has the potential to catalyze innovation, resulting in the development of new products and services that meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly options. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between financial performance and sustainability performance for companies that realize food and agriculture revenue, as an indicator of the green economy. The analyzed sample consists of all listed companies worldwide that reported these revenues, from the Refinitiv Eikon database. The regression analysis revealed the existence of a statistically significant negative relationship between return on equity and ESG score, but not between Women Employees Score and return on equity, respectively between FA Food and Agriculture and return on equity. The findings of the study, which contribute to the research of the relationship, with particularization at the level of companies that generate food and agriculture revenue, will provide valuable insights to scholars, given the conflicting results of previous studies. Furthermore, business managers in the industry will find guidance on adopting best practices to improve financial performance while guaranteeing sustainability performance, and policymakers will be able to adopt strategies to boost sustainability performance and profitability.

Keywords: performance; sustainability; gender equality; FA Food and Agriculture; green economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:poicbe:v:19:y:2025:i:1:p:1429-1439:n:1014

DOI: 10.2478/picbe-2025-0113

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