sajm






Linkages among Financial, Social and Environmental Sustainability: A Study of Women Entrepreneurs in the Tourism Industry

Prasid Gurung*, Rakesh Sharma** and Soumitra Sarkar***

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62206/sajm.31.5.2024.189-214

PUBLISHED :29 JAN 2025

Abstract

This paper attempts to understand women entrepreneurs and their sustainable actions and approaches, with practical evidence regarding their role in achieving sustainability. It sets out to provide a novel understanding of women entrepreneurs of the Darjeeling Hill Region engaged in the tourism industry and their contribution towards sustainable development, making it one of the first studies to explore the sustainable practices of women entrepreneurs in this region. Analyzing the first-hand data related to the daily business practices concerning the financial, social and environmental responsibilities collected from 121 women entrepreneurs, with the help of Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) as a substantive research tool, this study attempted to understand the relationship between the dimensions of sustainability and financial sustainability. The results confirm the existence of a partial mediation effect of social sustainability between financial and environmental sustainability. The findings of the study suggest that focusing merely on earning profits may be feasible in the short run but the organization cannot sustain itself in the long run because sustainability calls for assigning equal importance to all three dimensions, i.e., profit, people, and the planet. Considering the practical implications, the study provides evidence that necessitates creating awareness among entrepreneurs and educating them on their social and environmental responsibilities when the country is headed towards net zero goals. In conclusion, the study advocates for further research into the role of women entrepreneurs in sustainability throughout the diverse contexts to better understand and implement sustainable development goals and practices in the tourism sector.

Key Words

Environment, Profit, Society, Sustainability, Women entrepreneurs

Author Biography

Prasid Gurung*
Research Scholar, Department of Commerce, University of North Bengal, Darjeeling-734301. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rakesh Sharma**
Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Salesian College, Siliguri-734001. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Soumitra Sarkar***
Associate Professor, Department of Commerce, University of North Bengal, Darjeeling-734301. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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