| International Journal of Business and Economics Volume 25, No. 1 June, 2026 |
| Environmental Sustainability and CSR Practices by Banks in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore |
| Huong Ha |
| School of Business, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore |
| Yeap Peik Foong |
| Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, Australia |
| Hui Shan Loh |
| School of Business, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore |
| Rita Pidani |
| Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, Australia |
| Abstract |
| This paper examines if banks in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore engage in similar corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities regarding environmental sustainability. This exploratory study collected data from eight major banks in each selected country. Mean ranks, Kruskal-Wallis H and Bonferroni tests were used to analyse the data. The findings reveal a significant difference in "Environmental Restoration" ratings among these banks. "Energy Efficiency" garnered the highest median rank, indicating its importance to banks. "Responsible Financing" exhibited the lowest median value, suggesting a lesser priority for banks. “Environmental Education, Conservation, Protection, Waste Reduction, and Philanthropic Activity” displayed similar median values across these banks, indicating a common commitment to environmental sustainability. Bonferroni correction confirms these findings. This paper presents the CSR sustainable activity mapping framework, primarily based on the practices at major banks. Nonetheless, the findings also offer insights into small and medium-sized ASEAN banks by illustrating how CSR strategies can be adapted to their resource limitations. By leveraging resource-efficient initiatives, these banks can align their CSR efforts effectively within their operational capacities. The novelty of this framework lies in the banks’ CSR focus/operations, thereby improving the existing concepts’ applicability/relevance within this sector. |
| Keywords：Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental Sustainability, Banking Sector, CSR Sustainable Activity Mapping Framework, Indonesia and Malaysia and Singapore |
| JEL Classifications：M00, M10, M14, M19, Q01 |
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