National Culture and Climate–Water Synergy

This study examines the influence of national culture on climate–water synergistic management. As climate change and water scarcity intensify, organizations face increasing pressure to manage carbon emissions and water use in an integrated and sustainable manner. We hypothesize that the quality of carbon–water synergistic practices is influenced by cultural values. Using an international sample and drawing on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, we find robust evidence that masculinity and individualism are positively associated with climate–water synergy. This suggests that companies embedded in masculine and individualistic cultures are more likely to adopt integrated environmental strategies. Our study contributes to the literature by providing the first empirical evidence on the role of culture in shaping carbon–water synergy and offers practical insights for firms, investors, and policymakers seeking to advance corporate sustainability.