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Greening Remote SMEs: The Case of Small Regional Airports

Author

Listed:
  • Olivier Boiral

    (Pavillon Palasis-Prince)

  • Mehran Ebrahimi

    (Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM))

  • Kerstin Kuyken

    (Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM))

  • David Talbot

    (École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP)
    KEDGE Business School)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to explore, through a qualitative study of small regional airports, how sustainability issues are taken into account in remote small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on 42 semi-structured interviews conducted with managers of small regional Canadian airports and experts in this area, this study shows the quasi-absence of specific measures for sustainability, despite the seriousness of environmental issues, which tend to be subordinated to economic priorities and operational activities. The paper contributes to the literature on sustainability in SMEs by focusing on passive organizations located in remote areas and the complex reasons underlying their lack or absence of environmental commitment. The paper sheds more light on the essential role of stakeholders in providing the resources and skills necessary for the development of sustainability initiatives in passive SMEs. The study’s managerial contributions and implications for stakeholders are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Olivier Boiral & Mehran Ebrahimi & Kerstin Kuyken & David Talbot, 2019. "Greening Remote SMEs: The Case of Small Regional Airports," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 154(3), pages 813-827, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:154:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-017-3447-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3447-0
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    3. Stekelorum, Rebecca & Laguir, Issam & ElBaz, Jamal, 2020. "Can you hear the Eco? From SME environmental responsibility to social requirements in the supply chain," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    4. Engler, Daniel & Gutsche, Gunnar & Simixhiu, Amantia & Ziegler, Andreas, 2023. "On the relationship between corporate CO2 offsetting and pro-environmental activities in small- and medium-sized firms in Germany," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
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    6. David Talbot & Nicolas Raineri & Alain Daou, 2021. "Implementation of sustainability management tools: The contribution of awareness, external pressures, and stakeholder consultation," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(1), pages 71-81, January.
    7. Ni Wayan Rustiarini & Desak Ayu Sriary Bhegawati & Ni Putu Yuria Mendra & Nyoman Utari Vipriyanti, 2023. "Resource Orchestration in Enhancing Green Innovation and Environmental Performance in SME," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 13(5), pages 251-259, September.
    8. Joseph Bakos & Michele Siu & Adalberto Orengo & Narges Kasiri, 2020. "An analysis of environmental sustainability in small & medium‐sized enterprises: Patterns and trends," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1285-1296, March.
    9. Jorge Alberto Esponda Perez & Faisal Ejaz & Sarmad Ejaz, 2023. "Green Transformational Leadership, GHRM, and Proenvironmental Behavior: An Effectual Drive to Environmental Performances of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, March.
    10. Biconne, Valentina & Colombelli, Alessandra & Marullo, Cristina, 2024. "Exploring the Role of Openness to Collaborations with External Stakeholders in Sustainability Adoption: A Study Of Tourism Micro-Firms," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 202416, University of Turin.
    11. Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Giudice, Manlio Del & Chierici, Roberto & Graziano, Domenico, 2020. "Green innovation and environmental performance: The role of green transformational leadership and green human resource management," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    12. Daniel Engler & Gunnar Gutsche & Amantia Simixhiu & Andreas Ziegler, 2021. "Corporate CO2 offsetting in small- and medium-sized firms in Germany," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202136, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).

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