Sustainability Transition in Tunisian Companies: Challenges, Dynamics, and Comparative Perspectives
Abstract
This article explores the sustainability transition of Tunisian companies in a context characterized by institutional instability, limited access to green financing, and weak regulatory incentives. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines a quantitative survey of 120 companies, 20 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, an international comparative analysis (France, Germany, Morocco), and a broader regional perspective encompassing MENA countries (Middle East and North Africa). Results show growing awareness of sustainability, but implementation remains limited. The study identifies internal/external barriers and highlights levers to overcome them. The integration of the MENA regional perspective enriches the analysis by situating the findings within a broader framework, revealing both convergences and specificities. The article offers concrete recommendations for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers, emphasizing the need for systemic change involving managerial innovation, policy reforms, and greater stakeholder engagement.
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[3] Baumgartner, R.J., and Rauter, R. (2017). Strategic Perspectives of Corporate Sustainability Management to Develop a Sustainable Organization. Journal of Cleaner Production, 140: 81–92. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.04.146
[4] Bocken, N.M.P., and Short, S.W. (2016). Towards a sufficiency-driven business model: Experiences and opportunities. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 18: 41–61. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2015.07.010
[5] Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. Fourth Edition. Thousand Oaks. CA. Sage.
[6] Dyllick, T., and Muff, K. (2016). Clarifying the meaning of sustainable business: Introducing a typology from business-as-usual to true business sustainability. Organization and Environment, 29(2): 156–174. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026615575176
[7] El-Kassar, A.N., and Singh, S.K. (2019). Green innovation and organizational performance: The influence of big data and the moderating role of management commitment and HR practices. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. Elsevier, 144(C): 483–498. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.12.016
[8] Elkington, J. 1997. The triple bottom line. Environmental Management: Readings and cases. 2: 49–66.
[9] Filho, W.L., et al. (2025). European sustainability reporting standards: An assessment of requirements and preparedness of EU companies. Journal of Environmental Management, 380, 9. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125008
[10] Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N.M.P., and Hultink, E.J. (2018). The circular economy – A new sustainability paradigm?. Journal of Cleaner Production, 143: 757–768. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.048
[11] Hahn, T., Pinkse, J., Preuss, L., and Figge, F. (2016). Ambidexterity for corporate social performance. Organization Studies, 37(2): 213–235. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840615604506
[12] Hanna E., Harri K., Petrus K., and Topi T. (2023). Analysing regulatory instruments in sustainability transitions: A combined intervention points and roles of law approach to the European Union's Ecodesign framework. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 42: 125–137. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2023.09.013
[13] Heydemann, S. (2020). Rethinking social contracts in the MENA region: Economic governance, contingent citizenship, and state-society relations after the Arab uprisings. World Development, 135. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105019
[14] Htitich, M., Krylovà, P., and Harmàcek, J. (2024). Just Transition Score: Measuring the relative sustainability of social progress. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 23. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2024.100440
[15] Jamali, D., and Karam, C. (2018). Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Countries as an Emerging Field of Study. International Journal of Management Reviews, 20: 32–61. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12112
[16] Kiron, D., et al. (2017). Corporate sustainability at a crossroads. MIT Sloan Management Review, 58(4): 1–28. DOI: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/d6d6b55daa.pdf
[17] Kittinun, M. (2024). Sustainability in supply chains: strategies and practices for a greener future. RMUTT Global Business Accounting and Finance Review, 8(1): 85–108. DOI:https://doi.org/10.60101/gbafr.2024.273498
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[20] Nadel, S. and Savès, M. (2025). Corporate governance and ecological investments. The case of French industry, Ecological Economics, 234. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108588
[21] Opferkuch, K., Caeiro, S., Salomone, R., and Ramos, T.B. (2022). Circular economy disclosure in corporate sustainability reports: The case of European companies in sustainability rankings. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 32: 436–456. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.05.003
[22] Ranta, V., Aarikka-Stenroos, L., and Mäkinen, S.J. (2018). Creating value in the circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 201: 988–1000. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.08.072
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[27] Schröder, P., Anggraeni, K., and Weber, U. (2019). The relevance of circular economy practices to the Sustainable Development Goals. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 23(1): 77–95. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12732
[28] Senturk, N.K., Bayraktar, Y., Recepoglu, M., Ozyilmaz, A., and Balsalobre-Lorente, D. (2025). The effects of sub-components of economic freedom on load capacity factor: Empirical analysis for MENA countries. Journal of Environmental Management, 380. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124956
[29] Sinkovics, N., Sinkovics, R.R., and Yamin, M. (2014). The role of social value creation in business model formulation at the bottom of the pyramid – Implications for MNEs?. International Business Review, 23(4): 692–707. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2013.12.004
[30] Suphasomboon, T., and Vassanadumrongdee, S. (2023). Multi-stakeholder perspectives on sustainability transitions in the cosmetic industry. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 38: 225–240. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2023.04.008
[31] Touratier-Muller, N., and Ortas, E. (2021). Factors driving shippers' compliance with a voluntary sustainable freight programme in France. Journal of Cleaner Production, 318. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128397
Published
2025-11-29
How to Cite
FARHOUD, Mohamed.
Sustainability Transition in Tunisian Companies: Challenges, Dynamics, and Comparative Perspectives.
Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, [S.l.], v. 16, n. 4, p. 355-374, nov. 2025.
ISSN 2068-7729.
Available at: <https://journals.aserspublishing.eu/jemt/article/view/9199>. Date accessed: 02 dec. 2025.
doi: https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v16.4(80).02.
Section
Article
Copyright© 2025 The Author(s). Published by ASERS Publishing 2025. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of CC-BY 4.0 license.