Exploring the Green Transition: An Analysis Using QDA Miner on Annual Sustainability Reports

This paper explores the fair-green transition by analyzing sustainable business practices narratives expounded by corporate professionals within the framework of major industrial corporations. Using QDA Miner software, a qualitative analysis was conducted on the annual sustainability reports of the 15 largest industrial companies globally, which are listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The analysis aimed to identify intriguing interconnections between categories by examining code frequencies, co-occurrences, and proximity, focusing on “Sustainability and Environment,” “Innovation and Energy,” and “Social Responsibility and Governance.” Results show a high frequency of entries related to “Climate” codes, as well as “Waste” and “Sustainability.” Cluster analysis highlights the significance of integrated resource management by identifying a strong association between the “Waste” and “Water” codes, emphasizing their increasingly important role in sustainable practices and the efficient use of resources. The study further illustrates the delicate balance required to integrate social and environmental responsibilities, especially in addressing “Community Development” and “Biodiversity.” This study outlines the importance of balancing environmental, economic, and social objectives in corporate sustainability efforts. As such, businesses must adopt sustainable practices to ensure long-term growth while minimizing adverse environmental impact, fostering innovation, and strengthening their social responsibility commitments.