Research

Our centre, which deals with a wide array of sustainability topics, continues its work in two main research directions:

• The business impacts of sustainability, or sustainability in organisations and the value chain: researching the corporate and social impact of sustainability, as well as its measurability, with particular emphasis on the integration of the value chain.

• The social impacts of sustainability, or sustainability beyond the business sphere: diversity and equal opportunities. Here, we are primarily researching the social dimension of sustainability, including the appearance of diversity and equal opportunities in businesses and society.

entrepreneurs with disabilities

The aim of our first domestic empirical research on this topic, which began in 2018 and was the first in Hungary, was to investigate and analyse in an exploratory manner, the motivations of entrepreneurs with disabilities, as well as to map the challenges and obstacles they face. After reviewing the literature and the business ecosystem, the research, which was based on interviews with entrepreneurs and was complemented by document analysis and expert interviews, gives an indication of this segment of the business sphere, and formulates proposals in the field of inclusive business development, as well as outlining further research. In the current phase of the research, we are also examining the situation of entrepreneurs with disabilities through different theoretical lenses, such as health or the intersection of identities. Research participants: Sára Csillag, Zsuzsanna Győri, Carmen Svastics (ELTE Bárczi), Anna Laura Hidegh (BCE), Edit Kóródi.

Project no. TKP2021-NKTA-44 has been implemented with the support provided by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Hungary from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed under the Tématerületi Kiválósági Program 2021 (TKP2021-NKTA) funding scheme.

SME sustainability

During the SME sustainability profile research, from 2022, based on a representative research, we will create an evaluation system that outlines the sustainability profile of businesses, first in Hungary, and then with the involvement of our strategic foreign partner universities in several European countries (Germany, Poland, Slovakia, France, Portugal). Targeted corporate sustainability research has not been carried out in Hungary since 2017, but the research at that time was neither representative nor SME-focused. The sustainability evaluation system assesses the appearance of sustainability and responsible practices among companies, especially SMEs. Research participants: Zsuzsanna Győri, Cecília Szigeti, Anita Kolnhofer-Derecskei, Regina Reicher.

Challenges of ESG compliance reporting in the EU

Our research focuses on the extent to which the approaches, principles and indicator structures of the most relevant non-financial reporting standards (GRI, IFRS and ESRS) are consistent with each other, and whether they show a close relationship and coherence that provides a basis for greater harmonisation and facilitation of reporting practices. The application of EU CSRD legislation is largely determined by existing reporting practices, so mapping them could be crucial for adaptation. Participants in the research are Andrea Madarasiné Szirmai, Szilárd Hegedűs, Barbara Kardos and Zsuzsanna Győri.

ecological footprint

The industry-specific development of BUEB's corporate ecological footprint calculator began in 2022. The first industry where we will calculate the ecological footprint of material use is the construction industry. Through the example of the ecological footprint of family homes, apartment buildings, and home renovations, we would like to help individuals and companies to choose more sustainable solutions. Our results will also help in making urban development decisions. First results are expected in the fall of 2022. Research participants: Cecília Szigeti, Áron Szennay, Zoltán Major (SzE).

family-friendly employment in higher education

The balance of work and private life has become increasingly important in higher education as well, due to the growing number of students, the increase in expectations and the changing regulatory environmental conditions. But in the university sphere, we know little about family-friendly employment. Comprehensive research was launched in the summer of 2021 to review the BUEB' family-friendly policies and tools, and to gather suggestions from stakeholders on how to improve the existing system. Based on in-depth interviews with managers, lecturers, researchers and support staff, the first part of the comprehensive research found that the physical state and family relations were the most important factors for the quality of life of staff. In the second phase of the research, the university researchers extended the survey to students. Research participants: Krisztina Szegedi, Tímea Juhász, Zsuzsanna Győri.

circular economy in the fashion industry

As a business model, the circular economy is of paramount importance from both an economic and an environmental point of view. Not only does it reduce waste, but it also creates new value by reusing materials that were previously unnecessary. Taking the focus of the fashion industry as a starting point, our research seeks to answer the question of whether individual circular behaviour is linked to the efforts of large companies in this direction. The results of the research provide estimates of the scope for expanding the breadth or depth of the circular economy. Our research contributes to the academic effort to define precisely the definition and types of circularity. In the present research, we explore the relationship between two types (circular modernism and bottom-up sufficiency) through examples from the fashion industry. Research participants: Krisztina Szegedi, Cecília Szigeti (METU), Zsuzsanna Győri, Dorina Körtvési.

effectiveness of sustainability education

Sustainability is not just a compound topic, but its education is also a complex challenge for higher education institutions. Sustainability education at tertiary level is expected to go beyond developing the cognitive elements related to economies, societies and the environments: it should also aim for character formation, fostering attitudes and professional identity. Our research group focuses on the following question: what would be the efficient methods and techniques of sustainability education inside and outside the classroom? Research participants: Krisztina Szegedi, Gábor Andrási, Zsuzsanna Győri, Dorina Körtvési.

factors influencing EV manufacturing decisions

A research collaboration on the “factors influencing EV manufacturing decisions of European original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)” began between researchers Anita Kolnhofer-Derecskei, Regina Reicher (CECIBUS), Zsuzsanna Csereklyei (RMIT University), Kelvin Say ( University of Melbourne) and Eszter Megyeri (University of Szeged). The research will use a novel natural language processing (NLP) methodology alongside the PRISMA model, followed by expert interviews with several stakeholders. Preliminary results are expected by the end of 2023.

business models of biogas plants

Renewable energy is playing an increasingly important role across Europe. It also has great potential for energy management and environmental protection in Hungary.

Biogas is an environmentally friendly renewable energy carrier, which can be produced mainly from primary or secondary agricultural by-products and other wastes.

Sustainable Business Models (SBMs) can address social and environmental problems in new and more profitable ways that create both competitive advantage and value for society.

Our research team is conducting a comprehensive study of these sustainable business models in Hungary, using the example of biogas plants.

Research participants: Péter Csiba, Cecília Szigeti, Judit Vágány

sustainable pathways for supply and demand in tourism and hospitality

Members of the research team are looking for answers to the questions "Who is doing what, what more can be done, and how?" mainly in the field of tourism and hospitality, which is facing many environmental, social, and economic challenges. Their activities include evaluating sustainability strategies, assessing the situation, analysing opportunities, and gathering green business practices. Their themes are mainly related to accommodation and hotel services, restaurant and catering operations, analysing the environmental impact of a sample menu, cooperation of hotel staff in implementing a sustainability strategy, and promotion of local values, products, and culture, applying AI. They focus on waste management, the role of local communities, awareness-raising, and methodological improvement (quantification of the impact on the environment, life-cycle assessment procedures, comparative analysis to support decision-making). The research is data-intensive and characterised by collaboration with business partners and experts and the involvement of students in research.

The members of the research team are: Éva Erdélyi, Judit Avató, Klára Karakasné Morvay, Csilla Petykó, Csilla Szalók and Viktória Mannheim (University of Debrecen).

This research is supported by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Hungary from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed under the Tématerületi Kiválósági Program 2021 (TKP2021-NKTA) funding scheme (Project no. TKP2021-NKTA-44).

Centre of Excellence for Sustainability Impacts in Business and Society

Budapest University of Economics and Business