Organizational performance in green companies

Abstract

The global awareness of sustainability drives the business transition towards ecological models, the "green companies." Their organizational performance is evaluated not only financially but also by their environmental and social impact, demanding a multidimensional analysis of their strategies and results. Panama, with its biodiversity and commercial role, seeks to integrate business sustainability. Despite governmental efforts, the implementation of green practices lacks a systematic understanding of their impact on organizational performance. The scarcity of local empirical data limits the adoption of effective green strategies and the measurement of their real impact on long-term competitiveness and resilience. This research aims to understand organizational performance in Panamanian green companies, identifying success factors and challenges. A descriptive and documentary qualitative methodology was employed, with a non-experimental field design and hermeneutic method. In-depth interviews were conducted with three directors/managers of Panamanian companies identified as "green" or in transition. The thematic analysis identified patterns regarding the integration of environmental strategies into culture, operations, and results. The findings suggest a significant commitment to sustainability, driven by leadership and consumer demand. The integration of green practices correlates with improved reputation, operational efficiency (waste and energy reduction), and talent attraction/retention. However, challenges were identified: lack of clear tax incentives, high initial costs of green technologies, and the need for greater training in the supply chain. Panamanian green companies demonstrate that sustainability is a performance driver. To optimize their potential, robust support policies, intersectoral collaboration, and investment in education/research are required, overcoming obstacles for a model that balances economic success with environmental and social responsibility.