Environmental Management of Ecuador’s Business Sector in the Fight against Climate Change

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors,

The topic is interesting; however, the following issues should be addressed in the study:

Major comments:

1.       Title, Abstract, and Introduction

Title

·         Condense the title to make it more concise. For example, consider shortening it to emphasize the key elements.

Abstract

·         The provided abstract slightly exceeds the recommended length for a maximum of 200 words.

·         Include a clearer statement about the global context of the private sector and the role of the United Nations Global Compact.

·         Make the research question more explicit.

·         Provide additional details about the methodology used, such as the scope of the survey and any specific considerations in the selection of companies.

·         Offer a more concise description of the main results, emphasizing key trends and significant findings.

·         Be more specific about the practical implications of the results and how they might impact environmental management strategies in the Ecuadorian private sector.

·         Ensure that the conclusions directly reflect the results presented in the abstract.

·         Additionally, adjust the wording to make it more fluid and coherent. Consider including information about the relevance and potential impact of the results in broader terms.

Introduction

The introduction provides a comprehensive overview but can benefit from some refinements to align with the given instructions for authors. Here are specific suggestions:

·         Simplify complex sentences for better readability. Break down lengthy sentences into shorter ones for clarity.

·         Clearly state the main aim of the work and highlight the specific hypotheses being tested.

·         While the introduction touches on global initiatives like the United Nations Global Compact and ISO 14001:2015, a more focused review of the current state of research in the field of environmental management and corporate social responsibility would enhance the introduction.

·         Include more specific references to key publications in the field, especially those relevant to the study.

·         Identify and highlight any controversial or diverging hypotheses in the field, as suggested in the instructions.

·         Provide a succinct conclusion to the introduction that explicitly states the main aim of the work and previews the main conclusions.

 

2.       Literature Review

It is necessary to elaborate a comprehensive literature review for building a strong foundation, guiding research design, and contributing meaningfully to the ongoing scholarly dialogue in a given field.

·         A literature review provides a thorough understanding of existing knowledge and research gaps in a specific field.

·         It helps researchers contextualize their work within the existing body of literature, ensuring relevance and contributing to the ongoing scholarly conversation.

·         A literature review establishes the theoretical framework for the study, grounding research in established concepts and models.

·         Researchers can identify methodological approaches used in previous studies, offering valuable insights for designing their own research.

·         It allows for the identification of key findings and controversies in the field, helping researchers position their work strategically.

·         By reviewing existing literature, researchers can refine their research questions and develop hypotheses that build upon prior knowledge.

·         A literature review aids in contributing to the broader academic discourse by understanding current debates, trends, and gaps in knowledge.

 

3.       Methodology / Materials and Methods

·         Clarify the specific aspects of the Environmental Economic Information Survey of Companies (EIAEE) that were used for this study. Specify the variables extracted from the survey in more detail.

·         Provide more information on the specific descriptive statistics used, especially regarding environmental expenditure. For example, clarify how the mean, maximums, minimums, and percentiles were calculated and what they represent in the context of the study.

·         Include more details about the use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program for data processing. Specify the version of SPSS used and briefly describe the steps involved in data analysis.

·         While you have mentioned the interpretation of Cramer's V, consider briefly explaining the calculation process or providing a reference for readers who may want to understand the mathematical details.

 

4.       Results

·         In Figure 1, explicitly state the economic sectors to which the percentages refer. This clarity aids the reader in understanding the distribution of companies with ISO 14001:2015 certification.

·         Provide a more succinct summary of environmental spending statistics, emphasizing the main points and trends. Avoid repeating the phrase "considered as current expenditure" excessively.

·         Streamline the presentation of the association analysis between economic sectors and actions against climate change. Clearly state the key associations and their implications.

·         Ensure that references to figures and tables are clear and correspond to the correct numbering.

·         Consider a concise transition sentence at the end to summarize the key insights derived from the results and provide a smooth segue into the discussion section.

 

5.       Discussion

·         Consider providing a brief insight into why ISO 14001:2015 certification is crucial for environmental management. Discuss possible reasons for the relatively low certification rate observed and explore potential benefits that may encourage more companies to adopt this certification.

·         Expand on the significance of environmental expenditure, going beyond the numerical values. Discuss how increased spending can positively impact corporate sustainability and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change. Consider referencing specific initiatives or case studies that demonstrate the positive outcomes of higher environmental expenditures.

·         When referring to global trends in certifications (ISO 14001:2015 and others), briefly elaborate on how these trends align with or differ from the observed patterns in Ecuador. Discuss whether there are common challenges or successes that transcend geographic boundaries.

·         Elaborate on the statement regarding tax incentives for companies investing in ecological and environmentally friendly production. Provide specific examples or cases where such incentives have influenced companies positively. This discussion could further emphasize the link between environmental responsibility and economic incentives.

·         Clarify and expand upon the breakdown of current investment mentioned (86% public funds and 14% private investment). Discuss the implications of this distribution, particularly how private financing focuses on biodiversity offsets, sustainable supply chains, and impact investments.

·         Provide a more nuanced discussion on how companies are incorporating the seven actions against climate change as current expenses. Discuss potential challenges, successes, and variations among different economic sectors.

·         Expand on the theoretical strategies proposed for climate change mitigation. Discuss the feasibility and challenges associated with increasing renewable energy generation, improving energy efficiency, and monitoring/reporting emissions.

·         Integrate more connections to previous studies or research in the field to provide a broader context for the findings. Discuss how your results align with or deviate from existing literature.

·         Conclude the discussion by suggesting potential directions for future research, highlighting areas that require further exploration or clarification based on the limitations identified in the study.

 

 

6.       Conclusions

·         Consider providing a brief reflection on the implications of the low ISO 14001:2015 certification rate in Ecuador. Discuss potential challenges or barriers that companies may face in obtaining this certification and suggest recommendations for improvement.

·         Elaborate on the significance of the substantial gap in environmental expenditure between companies. Discuss the potential consequences of such disparities and propose strategies or incentives to encourage more companies to invest in environmental care.

·         Connect the global perspective on private capital for environmental care, as mentioned by the United Nations, to the findings in Ecuador. Discuss how the observed environmental expenditures align with or diverge from the global recommendations and what steps can be taken to bridge any gaps.

·         Offer insights into why the majority of companies do not consider the seven actions against climate change as current expenses. Discuss potential barriers or reasons behind this trend and propose strategies to encourage a broader commitment to these actions.

·         Provide a more nuanced interpretation of the moderate association between the economic sector and environmental spending on air, soil, and wastewater and waste treatment. Discuss practical implications and potential areas for targeted interventions based on this association.

·         Briefly explain the implications of the absence of association between the economic sector and certain aspects like radiation treatment, use of mineral or energy resources, and water resources. Discuss whether this lack of association poses challenges or opportunities for targeted environmental initiatives.

 

·         Consider concluding with recommendations for future research based on the identified gaps or limitations in the study. Propose areas where further investigation could provide valuable insights into improving environmental sustainability practices in different economic sectors.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Please see attached for the respones to your comments. We made the suggested changes without affecting the main focus of our study.

1. Title, Abstract, and Introduction: Modified as requested.
2.  Literature Review: Added related works and theories of authors related to the topic of study. 
3. Methodology / Materials and Methods: The methodological process was explained in a better way.
4. Results: The results and their analysis were explained in a better way.
5.  Discussion: Adapted in a better way, following the reviewer's suggestion.
6. Conclusions: Modified according to the suggestions.

These changes can be seen in the document:

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I am grateful for the opportunity to get acquainted with exciting research results.  

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear reviewer, please see attached for the respones to your comments. The following changes were made, according to your suggestion 

1. Title, Abstract, and Introduction: Modified as requested.
2. Literature Review: Added related works and theories of authors related to the topic of study.
3. Methodology / Materials and Methods: The methodological process was explained in a better way.
4. Results: The results and their analysis were explained in a better way.
5. Discussion: Adapted in a better way, following the reviewer's suggestion.
6. Conclusions: Modified according to the suggestions.

These changes can be seen in the document:

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have made the changes appropriately. I suggest that it can be published.