Persisting values in changing times?

Exploring the evolution of challenges and the endurance of founding principles in cooperatives related to climate change

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35295/sz.iisl/2188

Keywords:

Environmental Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Cooperatives, Sustainability Reporting, Mondragon Corporation

Abstract

This paper examines the integration of environmental sustainability within Mondragon Corporation, focusing on its cooperative Orbea. While both hold various environmental certifications, this research critically analyzes their reporting and practices to assess the authenticity of their efforts. The study reveals a trajectory towards incorporating sustainability language into Mondragon's communications, as well as a lack of transparency and measurable data to support its claims. This makes it difficult to assess the true depth of Mondragon's commitment to sustainability and raises concerns about potential greenwashing. This study contributes to socio-legal research, by examining corporate social responsibility within cooperative models, where social accountability expectations are high. It stresses the importance of transparency, measurable data, and stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainability efforts are meaningful. By focusing on Mondragon, this research provides insights into the complexities of corporate sustainability within cooperatives and emphasizes the need for increased accountability and transparency in corporate sustainability reporting.

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Author Biography

Vincent Hösi, IISL/UPV-EHU

Vincent Hösi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and a Master’s Degree in Sociology of Law from the University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea; International Institute for the Sociology of Law (Oñati). E-mail: vincent.hoesi@gmail.com

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Published

04/30/2025

How to Cite

Hösi, V. (2025) “Persisting values in changing times? Exploring the evolution of challenges and the endurance of founding principles in cooperatives related to climate change ”, Sortuz: Oñati Journal of Emergent Socio-Legal Studies, 15(1), pp. 220–240. doi: 10.35295/sz.iisl/2188.