Attitudes toward ESG reporting in a crisis economy : insights from interviews with ukrainian agricultural enterprises

Abstract

This article explores how ESG reporting practices evolve in high-risk, low-institutional contexts by examining Ukrainian agricultural enterprises operating under conditions of war, economic instability, and EU integration pressures. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, we show that, unlike highly institutionalized ESG models in the Global West, Ukrainian agricultural companies adopt pragmatic, survival-oriented approaches to sustainability. ESG engagement centers on business continuity and community support—balancing moral imperatives with operational needs. A low level of institutionalization fosters authenticity and reduces greenwashing risk, yet widespread skepticism persists regarding the feasibility of reporting without clear financial incentives. These findings challenge the assumptions of global ESG frameworks and highlight the need to reorient standards toward financial materiality in crisis economies. We propose an adaptive ESG reporting model that reduces compliance burdens for SMEs and outline policy measures—including advisory services, simplified procedures, financial incentives, and targeted education—to facilitate context-sensitive ESG integration.