Proposing Green Growth Indicators for Enterprises in the Woodworking and Furniture Industry

The increasing emphasis on environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the transition to a circular economy requires industries, including the wood-processing sector, to integrate sustainability into strategic and operational management. Green growth indicators represent essential tools for evaluating the environmental, economic, and social impacts of business activities, while also contributing to the sustainable economics and responsible management of forest resources and products. This study applies a qualitative research design using structured interviews with 10 executives from medium and large woodworking enterprises in Slovakia. The interviews examined company strategies, practices, and challenges in sustainable development and forest resource utilization. The findings reveal that while many companies actively manage waste, invest in green technologies, and conduct internal audits, the broader implementation of environmental management systems and the uptake of public sustainability funding remain limited. Notably, 90% of respondents emphasized waste volume and recovery rates as critical indicators. Based on the results, a set of green growth indicators was developed and categorized across key thematic areas including waste management, energy efficiency, stakeholder communication, certification, and strategic planning. These indicators not only support the assessment of corporate sustainability but also strengthen efficient forest resource management, responsible use of raw materials, and the long-term economic viability of the sector. The study highlights the importance of systematically designed and practically applicable indicators for guiding companies toward sustainable competitiveness and emphasizes the need for stronger institutional support, improved access to reliable data, and integration of sustainability metrics into core business decision-making.