MSR influence on environmental & ecological balance: Mediating effect of environmental regulations & strategies

Considering megaprojects' massive scale and the numerous stakeholders involved, the social responsibility of megaprojects (MSR) is a must. Their undeniable economic importance is accompanied by unavoidable environmental impacts. Today, professionals and researchers from all disciplines recognize that the unavoidable environmental impacts must be mitigated and ecological stability improved, which is an obvious global issue. MSR effects on the environment and ecological balance: mediating effects of environmental regulations are absent from the literature. This study reveals the impact of MSR on environmental and ecological balance (ENV/ES): the mediating effect of environmental regulations and strategies (ER&S) using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). MSR has a direct minimal effect on environmental and ecological balance. Environmental regulations and strategies partially mediate this relationship. The study also introduced an advanced statistical model and the most up-to-date PLS-SEM, which were not common in the literature on this topic. By its validity and reliability, the conceptual model and the research contribute to the existing knowledge base, assist in reducing the negative environmental impact of mining and megaproject construction, and provide information to environmental agencies, practitioners, and researchers so they can better understand the desired outcomes and improve ecological balance. •Megaprojects' social responsibility relationship with environmental impact explored.•Social responsibility of megaprojects alleviates environmental impacts.•Quantitative methods and smart PLS in social responsibility.•Rules and regulations mediate social responsibility on ecological balance.•Environmental impacts caused by the mining sector reduced.