Community perceptions of local enterprises in environmentally degraded areas

Local enterprises can play a key role in the economic development of communities in which they are situated but simultaneously, they are often a contributor to negative impacts on the natural environment. Several studies have highlighted the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in order to strike a balance between socio-economic and environmental impacts in such communities. However, there is very limited literature exploring community perceptions of local businesses. We consider this to be a key topic as such information can be used in order to develop socio-economic and environmental policies based on the principles of sustainable development. In this paper, the results of an empirical study examining local community perceptions of business activities are presented and also perceptions regarding the contribution of firms, through CSR actions, to environmental quality restoration. The empirical study was conducted in communities located in the environmentally degraded area of the Asopos river in Greece.