A great deficit in environmental research is that empirical evidence is lacking on the "if's" and "how's" of sustainability in German industry. Although a number of enterprise surveys have been conducted, these have been aimed at specific target groups (e.g., the 100 largest enterprises, ZDH/DIHT enterprises in individual Länder, eco-audit enterprises, member enterprises of individual environmental initiatives, etc.).
To help correct this deficit, the Ifo Institute was asked to conduct a broad survey on "The State of Sustainability in German Industry" as part of a joint research project funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research entitled Ökoradar (eco-radar) headed by the Deutsches Kompetenzzentrum für Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften (German Competence Center for Sustainability - DKNV) at the University of Witten/Herdecke and the Chair for Environmental Management at the University of Hohenheim. The survey will compile qualitative data in the following areas:
At the evaluation stage, the survey will supply empirical data for the implementation of the Ökoradar Internet portal.
The data was collected in August 2001 as supplementary questions to the Ifo Investment Survey (in manufacturing and construction) as well as brief supplementary questions to the Ifo Business Survey (manufacturing, construction, commerce). The survey thus did not use sampling in the narrow sense but rather an established panel (method of conscious selection).
Based on the special survey results, a typology was formed to draw conclusions that transcend the individual results on the "if's" and "how's" of sustainability in German industry and to make operational the concept of sustainable development. Distinctions were made between three types: "sustainability oriented", "environmental management oriented" and "passive". To enhance the reliability of the typology, relatively severe criteria were used, in consultations with the client. The labelling of an enterprise as "sustainability oriented" presupposes that the enterprise "clearly" addresses both ecological as well as social matters.
On the basis of the typology, the economic performance of the categorised enterprises was also examined. For this the data on turnover and employment collected in the standard Ifo Investment Survey were used. In addition, this also made possible a comparison between those enterprises that responded to the special surveys and those that only replied to the standard Ifo Investment Survey questions. This allows for an approximate estimation of whether the enterprises responding to the special surveys tend to be the economically successful or less successful enterprises.
The results of the survey will be presented at a press conference at the end of January. The detailed survey results and policy recommendations for decision-makers in business and politics will be published in a special report by the DKNW at the end of May.
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