Designing a model of green management accounting practices to improve the sustainability performance of banks

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
jafar ghahremani
Behzad Parvizi
Omid Mahmoudi Khoshro
Department of Accounting, Sa.C., Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
10.22034/jmaak.2026.79104.4712
Abstract
Considering the importance of sustainable development in the banking industry, this research investigates green management accounting practices and their role in enhancing the sustainable performance of banks. The study aimed to identify key factors and present a comprehensive model for implementing green banking. The research was conducted using a qualitative method with thematic analysis based on Brown and Clark (2006). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 banking experts, financial managers, and university professors. The analysis process involved six stages, from familiarizing with the data to report preparation, and the MAXQDA software (version 24) was used for data coding. The findings indicated that the success of green banking necessitates attention to eleven core areas: the definition and framework of green management accounting, value creation and sustainable performance, decision-making and resource efficiency, green technology and innovation, reduction of environmental impacts, human resources and employee motivation, legal framework and external pressures, organizational culture and adoption, operational cycle and green models, improvement of performance and green projects, and the phase of transition and international adoption. Each of these areas included sub-themes and operational indicators, the successful implementation of which leads to the improvement of banks' economic, social, and environmental performance. The results also showed that implementing green management accounting, alongside developing skills, creating employee motivation, fostering green culture, and utilizing new technologies, enhances productivity, decision-making transparency, reduces environmental impacts, and strengthens banks' competitive advantage.
Keywords
Green Management Accounting
Sustainable Banking
Economic-Environmental Performance
Green Technology
Human Resources
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