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ESG Management in Scandinavian Corporations: Focusing on a Cultural Perspective

  • Journal of the Scandinavian Society of Korea
  • Abbr : JSSK
  • 2025, (35), pp.1~33
  • Publisher : The Scandinavian Society of Korea
  • Research Area : Social Science > Area Studies > North Europe(Scandinavian)
  • Received : June 11, 2025
  • Accepted : July 14, 2025
  • Published : June 30, 2025

Sung-Jun Lee 1 Sung gun, KIM 2

1한국외국어대학교
2인하대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the cultural foundations behind the exceptionally high level of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) management observed among Scandinavian firms. Adopting both the etic approach – centered on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions – and the emic approach – which emphasizes the historical and socio-cultural uniqueness of Scandinavian societies – this research aims to explain how cultural factors influence the motivation and implementation of ESG practices in Scandinavian countries. The findings suggest that cultural traits such as low power distance, high individualism, and extreme femininity contribute to the intrinsic motivation for proactive and voluntary ESG engagement. Furthermore, the region’s longstanding egalitarian and cooperative norms serve as a fertile ground for embedding ESG values in corporate strategy. These insights offer meaningful implications for fostering ESG practices in countries like South Korea, where extrinsic motivation still plays a dominant role.

Citation status

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