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SMEs engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals: A power perspective

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  • Smith, Hannah
  • Discetti, Roberta
  • Bellucci, Marco
  • Acuti, Diletta

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call to action for governments, companies and communities to rebalance the relationship between the economy, the environment and society. Although companies represent a vital partner inachieving the SDGs, the discussion about the involvement of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in such goals is scarce. Drawing upon the ‘powercube’ approach, this research investigates what sustainable development means to SMEs, how they view the SDGs and why they engage – or do not engage – with such goals. Sixteen face-to-face interviews were conducted within rural and urban locations in the UK. The results show that although SMEs are interested in sustainable development, power dynamics impede their understanding and implementation of SDGs guidelines. This research offers to SME managers actionable insights on SDGs' implementation strategies and it provides a research agenda on how institutions and stakeholders can facilitate SMEs adoption of SDGs.

Suggested Citation

  • Smith, Hannah & Discetti, Roberta & Bellucci, Marco & Acuti, Diletta, 2022. "SMEs engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals: A power perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 112-122.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:149:y:2022:i:c:p:112-122
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.05.021
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    2. Björn Mestdagh & Luc Van Liedekerke & Olivier Sempiga, 2024. "A Drivers Framework of Organizational SDG Engagement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Liliane Carmagnac & Minelle E. Silva & Morgane M. C. Fritz, 2024. "Exploring sustainable development goals adoption in supply chain management: A typology of coexisting institutional logics," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 3463-3479, May.
    4. Carmen Elena Stoenoiu & Lorentz Jäntschi, 2024. "Circular Economy Similarities in a Group of Eastern European Countries: Orienting towards Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-21, February.
    5. Mariarosaria Agostino & Sabrina Ruberto, 2024. "Credit rationing and SMEs’ environmental performance in transition and developing countries," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(7), pages 16627-16656, July.
    6. Zhang, Zhongqingyang & Zhu, Huiming & Zhou, Zhongbao & Zou, Kai, 2022. "How does innovation matter for sustainable performance? Evidence from small and medium-sized enterprises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 251-265.
    7. Azmat, Fara & Lim, Weng Marc & Moyeen, Abdul & Voola, Ranjit & Gupta, Girish, 2023. "Convergence of business, innovation, and sustainability at the tipping point of the sustainable development goals," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).

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