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Exploring the potential of SMEs to build individual, organizational, and community resilience through sustainability‐oriented business practices

Author

Listed:
  • Jose DiBella
  • Nigel Forrest
  • Sarah Burch
  • Jennifer Rao‐Williams
  • Scott Morton Ninomiya
  • Verena Hermelingmeier
  • Kyra Chisholm

Abstract

Small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) can have significant resources, capacities, and influence in their communities, suggesting they have the potential to be agents for transformative sustainability. However, SMEs will need to move beyond firm‐centered sustainable business practices towards strategic approaches that encompass and contribute to resilience‐building processes. Amid the unfolding COVID‐19 pandemic, we explored what types of sustainable business practices of SMEs can contribute to individual, organizational, and community resilience. We identified six clusters of practice that are important in this regard. The clusters are not solely technical or “environmental” but rather illustrative of deeper sustainable values shaped by organizational structure, culture, and behavior. This paper suggests that SMEs can pursue transformative approaches to sustainability that are more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable and better able to withstand shocks like the COVID‐19 pandemic and can be significant contributors to community resilience. We conclude with a series of future research priorities critical to examine a largely unexplored nexus in the private sector, the linkages and dynamics between sustainability practice, resilience building, and broader community pathways.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose DiBella & Nigel Forrest & Sarah Burch & Jennifer Rao‐Williams & Scott Morton Ninomiya & Verena Hermelingmeier & Kyra Chisholm, 2023. "Exploring the potential of SMEs to build individual, organizational, and community resilience through sustainability‐oriented business practices," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 721-735, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:32:y:2023:i:1:p:721-735
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.3171
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    1. Ninik SRIJANI & Siti AISYAH & Lilik Sri HARIANI, 2023. "Presidential Election and SME Transformation in Indonesia: The Influence of Policies and Political Dynamics," CECCAR Business Review, Body of Expert and Licensed Accountants of Romania (CECCAR), vol. 4(10), pages 60-73, October.
    2. Mehmet A. Yetim & Furkan A. Gur, 2024. "When they are more than just employees: Environmentally conscious decision‐making in employee‐owned organizations," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 2694-2711, May.

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