“As part of a Horizon Europe MSCA-supported project, Tanya Aktaş, a Ph.D. candidate from the Department of Anthropology at Istanbul University, conducted comprehensive field research between August 28 and September 26 to examine the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting processes of companies. Carried out in coordination with the host institution ASRO (Asociația de Standardizare din România), the process began with an evaluation of project progress alongside ASRO representative Irina Balaoi, followed by consultations with Commercial Counsellor Hasan Oktay Duygun to compile lists of active operating companies and finalize the fieldwork schedule.
Throughout the field research, face-to-face interviews were held with senior executives to comparative analyze ESG practices across diverse sectors. In this context, sustainability processes in banking were discussed with Credit Europe Bank CEO Yakup Çil, while reporting practices and challenges in the construction sector were addressed with Gülermak Country Manager Umutcan Yılmaz and Caba Innovation General Manager Ali Rıza Koska. Within the retail and apparel domain, sector dynamics were evaluated during a meeting with Suwen Country Manager Hakan Güven. Additionally, meetings were held with Deloitte Partner Atakan Kenan Burçin and Radisson Hotel Manager Atakan Turhan to present the research objectives and methodology, share survey questionnaires, and secure their participation. These field engagements provided significant empirical value to the project by enabling a comparative analysis of corporate approaches and ESG standards across different industries.”
