Effect of Covid-19 on sustainability: An empirical study
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on
sustainability. The DEMATEL technique is used for the analysis. Based on the review of
literature and interviews with experts, five precautionary measures under Covid-19 and three
fundamental sustainability variables are used in the study. The results demonstrate that the
pandemic has a substantial effect on sustainability. Environmental and social variables are
highly influenced by the pandemic. Experts recommend that the countries should not
compromise with the sustainable development goals due to the pandemic.
Keywords: DEMATEL, Corporate sustainability, Pandemic, Lockdowns, Governance
1. Introduction
In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the COVID-19 outbreak
as a worldwide threat and global pandemic. The COVID-19 contagion originated in China
and spread vigorously throughout the world, disrupting almost all economic activities. The
COVID-19 pandemic has already curtailed the economic activities across the globe,
especially the industrial and manufacturing activities. Many countries have imposed
lockdowns, exempting indispensable goods and services. Travel activities were restricted,
and international as well as regional borders were also sealed (Yunus et al., 2020).
Despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies, nature has been
able to afford a "recovery period." It can also be proclaimed as "blessing with disguise"
(Barreiro-Gen et al., 2020; Muhammad et al., 2020), that means, significantly lower human
interventions within the natural environment during lockdowns (Lokhandwala and Gautam,
2020). It has resulted in reducing air and water pollution. NASA (2020) has reported that due
to lockdowns in many countries, transportation services have almost been occluded and
resulted in reduced emission of harmful gases. More precisely, air pollution has considerably
reduced after the implementation of immediate lockdowns. This has brought some positive
environmental gains (Dutheil et al., 2020; Jones and Comfort, 2020; Lokhandwala and
Gautam, 2020; Sarkodie and Owusu, 2020).
Alignment of Corporate sustainability with COVID-19
In the year 2015, the United Nations announced 17 interconnected, sustainable development
goals (SDGs), to be achieved by 2030 with the key principle of "leaving no one behind". The
goals bestowed a framework directed by tranquillity and prosperousness for the World at
present and in the coming times. The post-pandemic period certainly demands action by the
nations to promote more sustainable and clean energy initiatives to meet the SDGs and the
Paris climate change agreement (Yoshino et al., 2020). Although, the novel coronavirus was
emerged from China, the greenhouse gas emission in China has been plummeted by around
40-45 percent within merely 15 years (Kapecki, 2020). This shows that there has been
already substantial progress towards the goals, and many countries have also successfully
disseminated the SDGs within their development reforms. But the world was never
expecting, nor was it ready for the outbreak of COVID-19 that has often curtly imperilled the
abilities and progression of organizations to achieve SDGs (Gulseven et al., 2020; Thornton,
2020). The pandemic has exposed developing nations to a significant threat towards meeting
SDGs; and they will suffer more due to limited resources, undeveloped healthcare systems,
and lack of expertise to tackle it (Barbier and Burgess, 2020). The development process and
SDGs targets of less industrialized countries have also been severely affected (Filho et al.,
2020).
Sustainable development has already been a severe concern for the present and future
generations (Bottani et al., 2017; Herghiligiu and Robu, 2017; Hutchins and Sutherland,
2008). For instance, many organizations and dominant players in the retail sector have
embraced sustainable business models in pursuance of the SDGs (Jones et al., 2011).
Organizations are an integral part of society and perpetually interact with the physical,
biological, and social environment; often, they influence and get influenced by it. It is
pertinent to some extent how organizations play a significant role in a community or a
nation's sustainability (Phillis et al., 2010).
Jones and Comfort (2020) put emphasis on the concept of sustainable development that has
established a foundation for researchers, academia, and practitioners to investigate the global
crisis in recent years. Hayward et al. (2013) concluded that around 93 percent of CEOs across
the world agreed that sustainability would be a significant step towards the growth and
success of their businesses in the long run. By examining the economic, environmental, and
social dimensions, it could be concluded that adherence to the principles of sustainable
development could result in business success and long term profitability (Bottani et al., 2017;
Goldman and Gorham, 2006; Dyllick and Hockerts, 2002).
The pandemic has also pushed the organizations towards sustainability. This pandemic would
help to develop and extend the social dimensions of sustainability, which can furthermore be
added to organizations' sustainability assessment (Kumar et al., 2020). Now, the ball is in the
court of organizations. It would be enthralling to see; how well they're going to adapt, evolve,
and how they are looking to roll this turmoil into a chance to lead as much to a more
sustainable future (Arevalo and Aravind, 2010; Souto, 2009). According to Marco et al.
(2020), little attention is paid to the linkage between sustainability and emergence of
infectious disease. This study attempts to examine this linkage using multi-criteria decision
making technique (MCDM) technique.
2. Data and methodology
Data collection
To analyse causality between COVID-19 and sustainability, five dimensions under the
COVID-19 pandemic and three main variables which are environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) along with fifteen sub-variables of sustainability are identified from
literature, databases, and experts. A brief description of COVID-19 dimensions and
sustainability variables is provided in Table 1. Interviews with the experts having extensive
knowledge and experience were conducted to analyse the interaction of identified factors. A
total of seventeen interviews were conducted between April and June of the year 2020.
Insert Table 1 about here
Research technique
The study applies a mathematical technique, i.e., Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation
Laboratory (DEMATEL), to analyse causal relationships among COVID-19 and
sustainability variables. The Geneva Research Centre of the Battelle Memorial Institute first
developed this technique. This technique helps resolve multi-dimensional issues by clarifying
interdependence among dimensions (Gabus and Fontela, 1972). In recent years, the
DEMATEL has been employed in various studies examining contextual relationships among
criteria such as financial reporting quality, equity investment decisions, and CSR (Himanshu
et al., 2020; Li et al., 2020; Lee et al., 2011). The causal diagram based on digraphs is
formed to show the effect of one dimension on another (Lin, 2013). The steps of DEMATEL
are given below:
Step 1: Initial direct relation matrix, D is formed based on pairwise comparisons performed
by the 'N' experts using a scale of 0 to 4: "0 (No influence), 1 (Very low influence), 2 (Low
influence), 3 (High influence), 4 (Very high influence)". D is n x n matrix where dij
represents the degree of influence of factor 'i' on factor 'j' as shown in the following equation.
D=
N
1
∑
dkij
N K=1
… … … … … … … … … … (1)
Step 2: Normalized direct relation matrix, Q is derived using Eq. (2):
Q=D × λ
1
1
where λ = Min [
,
]
n
max ∑j=1 dij max ∑ni=1 dij
… … … … … … … … … … (2)
Step 3: Total relation matrix, P is developed using Eq. (3).
P = Q(I − Q)−1
… … … … … … … … … … (3)
Where 'I' is the identity matrix.
Step 4: The sum of rows in matrix P, i.e., R, is calculated to show the effect of factor 'i' on
other factors. The sum of columns in matrix P, i.e., C, is calculated to show the impact of
other factors on factor 'j.' To construct a causal diagram, R+C and R-C values are represented
on horizontal axis and vertical axis respectively. A threshold value is also calculated based on
experts' opinions. Only values above this threshold are considered in the casual diagram
(Tzeng et al., 2007).
3. Discussion of empirical outcomes
This section depicts the empirical outcomes of DEMATEL. Table 2 displays the initial direct
relation matrix of the interaction of COVID-19 variables with the main variables of
sustainability (in panel 1) and sub-variables of sustainability (in panel 2) based on Eq. (1).
Likewise, based on Eq. (2) and Eq. (3), normalized and total relation matrices are shown in
Table 3 and Table 4, respectively.
Insert Table 2 about here
Insert Table 3 about here
Insert Table 4 about here
The causal diagram of COVID-19 and the main variables of sustainability based on the
threshold value of 1.708 is shown in Fig. 1. The results depict that COVID-19 affects the
environmental and social variables of sustainability. Besides, among sub-variables, the social
indicator is influenced by the environmental indicator.
Insert Figure 1 about here
Fig. 2 shows the causal diagram of COVID-19 dimensions and sub-variables of sustainability
based on a threshold value of 0.224 decided through discussion with the experts. Specifically,
the figure shows the contextual relationships between identified dimensions for COVID-19
(such as hygiene measures, work from home, lockdowns, social distancing, and awareness)
and sub-variables of sustainability.
Insert Figure 2 about here
Hygiene measures (F1) would affect pollution & waste (F10) and the CSR committee (F18).
The analysis based on expert reviews reveals that hygiene measures implemented during the
pandemic are far more ahead than the usual circumstances to stop the spread and infection
among employees. Regular sanitization is being carried out in the organizations. Usage of
masks, hand sanitizers, and frequent temperature monitoring of the employees while entering
the workplace and sometimes wearing PPE kit are required during the pandemic. Experts
have also unfolded the importance of waste and pollution management in maintaining a
hygienic workplace environment in organizations. Many organizations maintain high
standards of hygiene and embedded it as an essential part of their CSR strategy.
Sub-variables of sustainability such as pollution & waste (F10), health & safety policy (F11),
training & development policy (F12), and employee satisfaction (F13) have been affected by
work from home (F2). This implies that F2 has a significant impact on the dimension of the
social pillar. Experts also believe that proper hygiene maintenance is a substantial aspect
during the pandemic, and initiatives such as work from home are directly associated with it.
During the pandemic, video conferencing and virtual meetings have emerged as an effective
alternative tool to maintain proper communication and to ensure virtual gathering at the
workplace. Numerous organizations have adopted this strategy to discourage employee
gathering; thus, pollution has declined, and at the same time, it has also benefited workers'
health and safety. However, due to the apparent unavailability of resources and infrastructure
such as the internet, it has been noticed by the experts that work from home is very distinct
from working at the organization. Hence, proper training programmes are being taken to
guide employees. Employees are also feeling satisfied with the flexible work routine by
working at home (Kapecki, 2020).
Lockdowns (F3) have majorly influenced climate change (F9), pollution & waste (F10), and
sustainability reporting (F20). Experts believe that the implementation of lockdowns has
significantly positive influence on the ecosystem. They have also mentioned that reduced
human interference has benefited nature and helped to heal itself. Many organizations,
specifically manufacturing units, business operations like logistics, have been temporarily
shut down or else operating with a minimum capacity. Thus, pollution and waste emissions
by the manufacturing units have been reduced to a remarkable amount Kumar et al. (2020).
Energy consumption by the organizations has also been reduced during the lockdown period.
Social distancing measures (F4) are being followed to maintain health and safety. In the
opinion of experts, precautionary measures like social distancing and wearing a mask has
been considered as an effective resistance tool. The government and many statutory bodies
are continuously motivating peoples to follow social distancing norms i.e. maintain a distance
of a minimum of 3 feet in social places. It is directly associated with the health and safety of
the people. Employees are also advised to postpone their business tours, specifically in highly
infectious areas.
Awareness (F5) impacts the dimensions of ESG pillars (environmental: F9, F10, social: F11,
governance: F18, F19, and F20). According to the experts, continuous awareness regarding
the prevention of spread of COVID-19 pandemic has helped many organizations. Employees
are regularly communicated and encouraged to maintain high health and safety standards
(Neumeyer, 2020). Posters displaying the precautionary messages are promoted such as,
"Namaste" has replaced the handshake policy. Payment through digital modes is preferred to
avoid physical contact.
Besides, the interlinkages between the variables of sustainability are also analysed. The
experts believe that the sustainability reporting of organizations largely depends on how
effectively the organizations are utilizing non-renewable natural resources like fossil fuel,
water, and electricity. Experts also emphasize that the use of renewable energy, specifically
solar power and wind energy, should be given prime attention. This will contribute to the
SDG 13 (Climate change). Organisations need to utilise natural resources effectively to meet
SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production). The initiatives taken by the
organizations to meet ESG goals are often shown in their sustainability reports. The main
objective of sustainable reporting is to provide details necessary to measure corporate
sustainability performance, generally reflected by the ESG score.
According to the experts, the focus of the corporate governance committee is to maintain
high CSR standards, maximize shareholders' wealth, and effectively to report the initiatives
for sustainable development. Organisations need to consider the interests of shareholder for
ensuring a good corporate governance. The views of directors and shareholders need to be
aligned (Adrian and Wright, 2020).
Experts asserts that proper health and safety policies aligned with SDG 3 (Good health and
well-being) in the organisations add to employee satisfaction. Organizations have committed
not to deduct the salary of their employees for the lockdown period and showed empathy at
difficult times. This is in alignment with the SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth).
Different organizations have implemented various precautionary measures as a part of crisis
management. Organisations have embedded these measures with their social responsibility
and sustainability reporting. The measures taken by the organisations are aligned with the
SDG 17 (Partnership for the goals).
4. Conclusion and future scope
The world has witnessed the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on humankind,
economies, and societies. The lessons learned from this pandemic have well-embedded
within the sustainability variables in multiple organizations. The pandemic has also widened
the scope for effective corporate sustainability assessment.
This study has focused on cognizing the interrelation between the COVID-19 and
sustainability based on expert opinions. COVID-19 has major influence on environmental
and social aspects of sustainability. Experts believe that the people who live in highly
polluted countries are more vulnerable and have greater risks of COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19 has jeopardized the ability of countries to meet their SDGs targets. The various
initiatives and measures in tackling this pandemic have also triggered and pushed the world
towards a more sustainable future. The variables considered in this study are not exhaustive.
Other sustainability and COVID-19 variables can be explored to analyse linkages. Future
studies can take large sample and use fuzzy version of DEMATEL to avoid the biasness of
experts.
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Table 1. Description of COVID-19 dimensions and sustainability variables
Main Variables/
Dimensions
Sub-variables
Hygiene
(D1)
Description
Measures The focus is to minimize the potential of
virus transmission. It includes measures like
hand washing for a minimum of 20 seconds,
wearing the mask, avoid touching the
surfaces, uses contactless payment modes,
use PPEs and gloves, proper sanitization of
the workplace, disposal of wastage, etc.
Work from home (D2)
This strategy aims to avoid movement where
people come together for education, leisure,
sports, and work-related activities. Many
companies have asked their employees to
work from home, and internet-based modes
like teleconferencing, web-meetings are
being organized during this pandemic.
Lockdown (D3)
Temporarily halting of activities in the
countries to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Social Distancing (D4)
This can be more appropriately termed as
"physical distancing" to avoid spreading the
infection at the workplace; the distance of at
least 1 metre should be maintained while
communicating personally.
COVID-19 (C1)
Awareness (D5)
This aspect is considered as the most crucial
risk mitigation strategies. It includes
understanding,
knowledge,
better
understanding and management of the
COVID-19 pandemic and adherence to the
initiatives taken for sustainability.
Resource
Reduction The policies intend to minimize the quantity,
Policy (D6)
volume, and contaminants during the product
life cycle.
Environmental
(E1)
(Sustainability)
Water Policy (D7)
It includes sustainable decisions regarding
the allocation, consumption, and treatment of
water resources.
Energy Policy (D8)
It is related to the sustainable management of
power resources used by an organization,
regarding
production,
consumption,
distribution.
Climate Change (D9)
Social (S1)
(Sustainability)
SDGs are being adopted to address the
concern of climate change.
Pollution and Waste To avoid pollution and waste, organisations
(D10)
should focus on 3R: Reduce, Recycle and
Resuse.
Health & Safety Policy It includes a set of rules, processes, and
(D11)
regulations which are followed by the
organizations to provide a safe working
environment for their employees.
Training
Development
(D12)
& It includes a strategic framework based on
Policy standards and benchmarks which focus on
staff retention, talent management, and
overall development of human resource.
Employee Satisfaction Employees’ contentment and happiness with
(D13)
their job.
Human Rights Policy The policies related to the safeguarding of
(D14)
internationally followed human rights
standards
and
benchmarks
in
the
organization.
Crisis
Management The troubleshooting processes which deal
System (D15)
with the unprecedented occurrences like the
COVID-19 pandemic which can cripple the
organization and stakeholders.
Corporate Governance Responsible for maintaining high-quality
Committee (D16)
corporate governance.
Compensation
Committee (D17)
Responsible for determining and reviewing
the amount of compensation.
CSR Committee (D18)
Responsible for fostering a philosophy
focused on corporate social responsibility
that demonstrates and establishes high
standards and regularly monitors the desired
expectations and performance.
Shareholders (D19)
Shareholders are now integrating ESG
criteria into their decision-making.
Governance (G1)
(Sustainability)
Sustainable Reporting Reporting of progress towards sustainability
(D20)
goals.
Table 2. Initial direct relation matrix
Panel 1. Interaction of COVID-19 variables with main variables of sustainability
Variables
C1
E1
S1
G1
C1
0.000
2.059
1.647
1.706
E1
3.529
0.000
2.588
1.882
S1
3.118
3.353
0.000
1.941
G1
1.647
1.765
3.529
0.000
Panel 2. Interaction of COVID-19 variables with sub variables of sustainability
Variables
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
D13
D14
D15
D16
D17
D18
D19
D20
0.000
1.412
2.353
2.706
1.941
1.294
2.000
1.294
1.471
3.294
1.588
1.882
2.471
2.706
2.059
1.294
1.471
3.235
1.471
1.176
2.941
0.000
1.353
2.529
2.412
1.647
1.353
1.176
1.471
3.294
3.294
3.412
3.235
1.882
1.706
1.353
1.294
1.353
1.118
1.118
2.118
1.824
0.000
1.813
1.588
1.294
1.235
1.118
3.353
3.176
3.059
1.471
3.588
1.647
1.471
1.235
3.471
1.176
1.235
3.176
2.588
2.647
1.529
0.000
1.706
1.118
1.353
1.000
1.353
1.118
3.235
2.118
1.882
1.647
2.765
1.353
1.353
1.118
1.294
1.176
3.412
1.824
2.235
3.412
0.000
1.588
1.882
1.882
3.235
2.765
3.118
1.765
1.412
1.471
1.824
1.588
1.588
1.765
3.059
2.824
1.882
1.882
1.353
1.647
1.353
0.000
3.471
2.000
3.529
3.000
1.529
1.706
2.000
1.353
1.647
1.235
1.588
3.235
1.000
3.588
2.353
1.471
1.235
1.235
1.353
2.235
0.000
1.353
3.235
2.412
3.412
1.176
1.765
1.471
1.706
1.235
1.529
1.706
1.118
2.941
1.882
1.647
1.941
1.118
1.235
2.529
2.176
0.000
3.235
1.706
1.588
1.824
1.353
1.412
1.471
1.235
1.353
1.471
1.471
3.588
D9
D10
D11
D12
D13
D14
D15
D16
D17
D18
D19
D20
1.941
1.353
1.118
1.000
1.647
2.588
2.353
2.294
0.000
2.176
2.118
1.941
1.471
1.353
2.294
1.412
1.353
1.824
1.118
1.353
2.471
1.706
1.824
1.176
2.000
1.824
1.647
2.059
3.529
0.000
3.118
1.647
1.000
2.000
2.176
1.176
1.353
3.059
1.118
3.882
1.471
1.529
1.647
1.824
2.765
1.647
1.882
1.882
1.000
1.941
0.000
1.824
3.176
2.882
1.647
1.412
3.588
3.059
1.353
2.941
1.529
1.529
1.588
1.765
1.706
1.471
2.059
1.353
2.000
1.765
2.882
0.000
1.941
2.353
2.824
1.529
2.412
1.176
2.118
1.353
1.706
2.000
1.882
1.765
1.588
2.118
1.235
1.176
1.353
1.882
1.824
2.647
0.000
1.706
1.765
1.294
2.588
1.941
2.412
1.471
1.824
2.353
2.059
2.000
1.941
1.294
2.000
1.529
1.765
1.235
1.647
2.059
3.588
0.000
1.647
1.412
1.824
2.176
1.353
3.294
1.824
2.118
2.294
2.000
1.529
1.588
2.000
2.000
3.294
1.824
1.353
1.824
1.765
1.824
0.000
1.471
1.235
3.294
1.235
3.118
1.294
1.647
1.412
1.471
2.471
1.882
1.353
1.353
1.471
1.941
1.471
1.588
1.824
1.353
1.588
0.000
1.588
3.294
3.824
3.000
1.412
2.118
1.353
1.118
1.588
1.824
1.235
1.118
2.000
1.353
1.765
1.235
3.588
2.529
1.471
3.588
0.000
3.412
1.235
1.294
2.059
1.471
1.118
1.059
1.471
3.059
3.353
3.471
1.176
1.176
3.294
1.882
1.000
2.118
1.471
3.765
1.294
0.000
3.294
3.412
1.412
1.118
1.235
1.118
2.235
1.706
1.235
1.471
1.765
1.471
1.941
1.706
1.882
1.471
1.353
1.765
1.647
1.765
0.000
1.471
1.706
1.294
2.235
2.000
1.765
2.824
2.706
2.529
3.412
1.647
1.118
1.882
1.235
1.647
2.000
1.353
1.765
1.765
3.706
0.000
Table 3. Normalized matrix
Panel 1. Interaction of COVID-19 variables with main variables of sustainability
Variables C1
E1
S1
G1
C1
0.000 0.420 0.371 0.196
E1
0.245 0.000 0.399 0.210
S1
0.196 0.308 0.000 0.420
G1
0.203 0.224 0.231 0.000
Panel 2. Interaction of COVID-19 variables with sub variables of sustainability
Variables
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
D13
D14
D15
D16
D17
D18
D19
D20
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
D13
D14
D15
D16
D17
D18
D19
D20
0.000
0.031
0.051
0.059
0.042
0.028
0.043
0.028
0.032
0.071
0.034
0.041
0.054
0.059
0.045
0.028
0.032
0.070
0.032
0.025
0.064
0.000
0.029
0.055
0.052
0.036
0.029
0.025
0.032
0.071
0.071
0.074
0.070
0.041
0.037
0.029
0.028
0.029
0.024
0.024
0.046
0.039
0.000
0.039
0.034
0.028
0.027
0.024
0.073
0.069
0.066
0.032
0.078
0.036
0.032
0.027
0.075
0.025
0.027
0.069
0.056
0.057
0.033
0.000
0.037
0.024
0.029
0.022
0.029
0.024
0.070
0.046
0.041
0.036
0.060
0.029
0.029
0.024
0.028
0.025
0.074
0.039
0.048
0.074
0.000
0.034
0.041
0.041
0.070
0.060
0.068
0.038
0.031
0.032
0.039
0.034
0.034
0.038
0.066
0.061
0.041
0.041
0.029
0.036
0.029
0.000
0.075
0.043
0.076
0.065
0.033
0.037
0.043
0.029
0.036
0.027
0.034
0.070
0.022
0.078
0.051
0.032
0.027
0.027
0.029
0.048
0.000
0.029
0.070
0.052
0.074
0.025
0.038
0.032
0.037
0.027
0.033
0.037
0.024
0.064
0.041
0.036
0.042
0.024
0.027
0.055
0.047
0.000
0.070
0.037
0.034
0.039
0.029
0.031
0.032
0.027
0.029
0.032
0.032
0.078
0.042
0.029
0.024
0.022
0.036
0.056
0.051
0.050
0.000
0.047
0.046
0.042
0.032
0.029
0.050
0.031
0.029
0.039
0.024
0.029
0.054
0.037
0.039
0.025
0.043
0.039
0.036
0.045
0.076
0.000
0.068
0.036
0.022
0.043
0.047
0.025
0.029
0.066
0.024
0.084
0.032
0.033
0.036
0.039
0.060
0.036
0.041
0.041
0.022
0.042
0.000
0.039
0.069
0.062
0.036
0.031
0.078
0.066
0.029
0.064
0.033
0.033
0.034
0.038
0.037
0.032
0.045
0.029
0.043
0.038
0.062
0.000
0.042
0.051
0.061
0.033
0.052
0.025
0.046
0.029
0.037
0.043
0.041
0.038
0.034
0.046
0.027
0.025
0.029
0.041
0.039
0.057
0.000
0.037
0.038
0.028
0.056
0.042
0.052
0.032
0.039
0.051
0.045
0.043
0.042
0.028
0.043
0.033
0.038
0.027
0.036
0.045
0.078
0.000
0.036
0.031
0.039
0.047
0.029
0.071
0.039
0.046
0.050
0.043
0.033
0.034
0.043
0.043
0.071
0.039
0.029
0.039
0.038
0.039
0.000
0.032
0.027
0.071
0.027
0.068
0.028
0.036
0.031
0.032
0.054
0.041
0.029
0.029
0.032
0.042
0.032
0.034
0.039
0.029
0.034
0.000
0.034
0.071
0.083
0.065
0.031
0.046
0.029
0.024
0.034
0.039
0.027
0.024
0.043
0.029
0.038
0.027
0.078
0.055
0.032
0.078
0.000
0.074
0.027
0.028
0.045
0.032
0.024
0.023
0.032
0.066
0.073
0.075
0.025
0.025
0.071
0.041
0.022
0.046
0.032
0.082
0.028
0.000
0.071
0.074
0.031
0.024
0.027
0.024
0.048
0.037
0.027
0.032
0.038
0.032
0.042
0.037
0.041
0.032
0.029
0.038
0.036
0.038
0.000
0.032
0.037
0.028
0.048
0.043
0.038
0.061
0.059
0.055
0.074
0.036
0.024
0.041
0.027
0.036
0.043
0.029
0.038
0.038
0.080
0.000
Table 4. Total relation matrix
Panel 1. Interaction of COVID-19 variables with main variables of sustainability
Variables
C1
E1
S1
G1
C
C1
1.1523
1.2164
1.2102
0.9879
4.567
E1
1.8497
1.3711
1.6295
1.2817
6.132
S1
1.9063
1.7335
1.4708
1.3447
6.455
G1
R
1.6093
6.518
1.4629
5.784
1.6155
5.926
1.0265
4.641
5.714
Panel 2. Interaction of COVID-19 variables with sub variables of sustainability
Variables
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
D13
D14
D15
D16
D17
D18
D19
D20
R
D1
0.163
0.171
0.186
0.196
0.188
0.182
0.201
0.169
0.216
0.234
0.220
0.192
0.221
0.207
0.194
0.161
0.179
0.245
0.181
0.223
3.929
D2
0.226
0.144
0.170
0.197
0.202
0.191
0.190
0.168
0.219
0.238
0.257
0.227
0.240
0.195
0.191
0.163
0.180
0.212
0.176
0.223
4.012
D3
0.212
0.185
0.144
0.184
0.188
0.190
0.192
0.171
0.262
0.239
0.254
0.191
0.252
0.193
0.189
0.166
0.227
0.214
0.182
0.268
4.104
D4
0.195
0.178
0.153
0.125
0.166
0.158
0.167
0.144
0.189
0.171
0.228
0.179
0.190
0.168
0.189
0.145
0.160
0.182
0.158
0.196
3.442
D5
0.253
0.197
0.202
0.229
0.168
0.209
0.219
0.199
0.276
0.246
0.273
0.210
0.222
0.202
0.210
0.183
0.201
0.240
0.232
0.279
4.449
D6
0.209
0.186
0.172
0.180
0.182
0.165
0.240
0.192
0.268
0.236
0.226
0.196
0.216
0.186
0.193
0.166
0.187
0.253
0.179
0.279
4.110
D7
0.201
0.163
0.156
0.159
0.168
0.194
0.152
0.164
0.242
0.208
0.242
0.170
0.197
0.174
0.178
0.151
0.173
0.207
0.165
0.246
3.709
D8
0.188
0.163
0.167
0.153
0.162
0.196
0.194
0.131
0.240
0.190
0.202
0.179
0.184
0.168
0.170
0.148
0.165
0.196
0.169
0.254
3.618
D9
0.184
0.153
0.146
0.146
0.165
0.191
0.191
0.174
0.166
0.194
0.207
0.176
0.180
0.162
0.181
0.147
0.159
0.198
0.156
0.205
3.480
D10
0.220
0.182
0.182
0.172
0.196
0.202
0.204
0.194
0.268
0.175
0.256
0.195
0.198
0.200
0.203
0.165
0.184
0.251
0.182
0.286
4.115
D11
0.203
0.183
0.181
0.188
0.213
0.200
0.209
0.190
0.219
0.216
0.195
0.201
0.246
0.220
0.194
0.174
0.231
0.253
0.190
0.269
4.175
D12
0.185
0.166
0.164
0.170
0.176
0.177
0.193
0.162
0.217
0.194
0.233
0.145
0.203
0.192
0.201
0.158
0.191
0.196
0.185
0.215
3.723
D13
0.185
0.172
0.166
0.167
0.170
0.186
0.173
0.155
0.199
0.193
0.208
0.196
0.158
0.176
0.176
0.151
0.191
0.206
0.188
0.211
3.627
D14
0.199
0.189
0.180
0.182
0.187
0.182
0.200
0.172
0.221
0.192
0.217
0.196
0.242
0.150
0.184
0.162
0.186
0.222
0.179
0.260
3.901
D15
0.202
0.186
0.186
0.183
0.181
0.192
0.204
0.186
0.256
0.207
0.215
0.193
0.207
0.190
0.152
0.166
0.175
0.247
0.179
0.262
3.967
D16
0.183
0.169
0.161
0.166
0.193
0.190
0.183
0.166
0.210
0.200
0.208
0.181
0.199
0.173
0.178
0.130
0.175
0.239
0.225
0.251
3.781
D17
0.183
0.178
0.158
0.157
0.174
0.186
0.178
0.159
0.215
0.187
0.211
0.173
0.235
0.195
0.173
0.202
0.141
0.241
0.172
0.215
3.733
D18
0.217
0.183
0.173
0.175
0.193
0.233
0.244
0.226
0.229
0.207
0.266
0.205
0.206
0.208
0.194
0.222
0.189
0.197
0.233
0.286
4.286
D19
0.160
0.137
0.137
0.137
0.166
0.161
0.155
0.145
0.187
0.166
0.189
0.159
0.176
0.153
0.150
0.145
0.154
0.182
0.122
0.190
3.171
D20
0.201
0.171
0.186
0.184
0.187
0.217
0.219
0.197
0.261
0.205
0.212
0.195
0.199
0.187
0.195
0.164
0.187
0.219
0.227
0.201
4.014
C
3.965
3.457
3.368
3.451
3.625
3.805
3.908
3.465
4.560
4.098
4.519
3.756
4.171
3.698
3.694
3.270
3.637
4.401
3.680
4.819