The build-up of local sustainable development politics: A case study of company leaders in France

The purpose of this study is to examine business leaders' perceptions on sustainable development and their expectations about local governments. Using a questionnaire on a cross-section of 32 French business leaders, we examine the following questions: can issues related to sustainable development extend beyond questions of profit and future economic dynamism? The modern global economic crisis, in combination with the ongoing ecological one, makes regional attractiveness more topical than ever. If local governments invest in sustainable development policy, it might satisfy not only citizens but also firms in the territory, while attracting new ones as well. To determine if firms are really interested in such a policy, as well as understand their expectations, this research undertook interviews with 32 business leaders. We found that local governments should act with firms as partners to increase resilience and sustainability. The expectations of business leaders and their sensitivity to sustainable development suggest that sustainable development policies' could improve the attractiveness of a local economy, especially in the context of the current environmental and economic crises.

► This study examines business leaders' perceptions on sustainable development and their expectations about local governments. ► The paper presents a questionnaire on a cross-section of 32 French business leaders and a textual analysis of the answers. ► Local governments should act with firms as partners to increase resilience and sustainability. ► Results suggest that sustainable development policies' could improve the attractiveness of a local economy.