Modeling the Impact of Citizens' Social Responsibility on Sustainable Development Based on the Modifying Role of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

In light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is a strong correlation between citizens' social responsibility (SR) and sustainable development (SD). Accordingly, the present study aimed to model the impact of citizens' SR on SD concerning the modifying role of the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, the data were collected from two target groups, namely, elites (viz. experts and professionals) (n=15) and the citizens of Tehran, Iran (n=384), through a questionnaire. The research model was also designed based on expert opinions, using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), type-II fuzzy logic, and ELECTRE III, and then modified. The given model was subsequently examined by the partial least squares regression (PLS regression). Results showed that if citizens' SR is elevated by about one-unit, social justice, sustainable economy, and stable environment would be augmented by 0.693, 0.735, and 0.583 units, respectively. SD would also grow by 0.485, 0.948, and 0.743 units if social justice, sustainable economy, and sustainable environment increased by one unit. Consequently, the results of the present study confirm the mechanism of the impact of citizens' SR on SD.

Keywords

• coronavirus pandemic
• citizens' attitudes
• social justice
• sustainable environment