Empirical investigation of sustainability awareness in Saudi Arabian business

This study examines the extent to which the business sector is aware of sustainability and whether it values social and environmental responsibility. Sustainability and environmental and social responsibility reporting is not yet mandatory in Saudi Arabia. As part of this study, business sector representatives voluntarily agreed to answer questions in a web-based questionnaire designed to collect data on their perceptions and understanding of sustainability. Respondents strongly agreed that: 1) establishing a profit-oriented business is different from starting a charitable foundation; 2) systematic sustainability reporting adds value to a business when the interest is directed towards long-term goals and that a business cannot survive without sustainability practices; 3) business should not be separated from social and environmental issues.