IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jknowl/v15y2024i1d10.1007_s13132-023-01196-x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Inter-organisational Cooperation Oriented Towards Sustainability Involving SMEs: a Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Nathalia Suchek

    (University of Beira Interior)

  • Mário Franco

    (University of Beira Interior)

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are under increasing pressure to implement sustainability practices and collaborate in sustainable development. To do so, they can choose to collaborate with other organisations in order to overcome the challenges and barriers found in moving towards sustainability. Sustainability issues in SMEs have been discussed in the last two decades, but the knowledge on the inter-organisational collaboration towards sustainability remains dispersed. In this sense, this paper aims to answer the question: what is known about inter-organisational cooperation oriented towards sustainability involving SMEs? A systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out using 55 articles available on Web of Science (WoS) aiming to understand the processes of inter-organisational relations towards sustainability involving SMEs, simultaneously addressing the emergence of the circular economy. As a result, the articles were organised into four groups, namely (1) cooperation for sustainability promoted by government initiatives, (2) effects of inter-organisational cooperation for sustainability, (3) process of cooperation oriented towards sustainability, and (4) start of discussions on cooperation for the circular economy. A framework is presented with an overview of the evolution of the field, highlighting the main factors and outcomes related to inter-organisational cooperation involving SMEs for sustainability. The review provides theoretical implications as future research avenues for academics and scholars as well as practical implications for entrepreneurs, managers and policy-makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathalia Suchek & Mário Franco, 2024. "Inter-organisational Cooperation Oriented Towards Sustainability Involving SMEs: a Systematic Literature Review," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 1952-1972, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-023-01196-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-023-01196-x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13132-023-01196-x
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s13132-023-01196-x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vasileios Rizos & Arno Behrens & Wytze Van der Gaast & Erwin Hofman & Anastasia Ioannou & Terri Kafyeke & Alexandros Flamos & Roberto Rinaldi & Sotiris Papadelis & Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers & Corrado , 2016. "Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Phil Brown & Nancy Bocken & Ruud Balkenende, 2019. "Why Do Companies Pursue Collaborative Circular Oriented Innovation?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Stefanie Pakura, 2020. "Open innovation as a driver for new organisations: a qualitative analysis of green-tech start-ups," International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 12(1), pages 109-142.
    4. Brigitte Hoogendoorn & Daniela Guerra & Peter Zwan, 2015. "What drives environmental practices of SMEs?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 759-781, April.
    5. Zahoor, Nadia & Al-Tabbaa, Omar, 2020. "Inter-organizational collaboration and SMEs’ innovation: A systematic review and future research directions," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(2).
    6. Sascha Kraus & Janina Burtscher & Thomas Niemand & Norat Roig-Tierno & Pasi Syrjä, 2017. "Configurational Paths to Social Performance in SMEs: The Interplay of Innovation, Sustainability, Resources and Achievement Motivation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-17, October.
    7. Manfred Spiesberger & Julian Schoenbeck, 2019. "Innovation Vouchers for the Transition of Energy and Innovation Systems," Foresight and STI Governance (Foresight-Russia till No. 3/2015), National Research University Higher School of Economics, vol. 13(1), pages 70-76.
    8. Abdulkarim Hasan Rashed & Afzal Shah, 2021. "The role of private sector in the implementation of sustainable development goals," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 2931-2948, March.
    9. Phil Brown & Nancy Bocken & Ruud Balkenende, 2020. "How Do Companies Collaborate for Circular Oriented Innovation?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, February.
    10. Andrea Revell & David Stokes & Hsin Chen, 2010. "Small businesses and the environment: turning over a new leaf?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 19(5), pages 273-288, July.
    11. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    12. Regina Scheyvens & Glenn Banks & Emma Hughes, 2016. "The Private Sector and the SDGs: The Need to Move Beyond ‘Business as Usual’," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(6), pages 371-382, November.
    13. Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu & Patrizia Gazzola & Violeta Mihaela Dincă & Roberta Pezzetti, 2017. "Mapping Entrepreneurs’ Orientation towards Sustainability in Interaction versus Network Marketing Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-18, September.
    14. Olivier Boiral & Charles Baron & Olen Gunnlaugson, 2014. "Environmental Leadership and Consciousness Development: A Case Study Among Canadian SMEs," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 123(3), pages 363-383, September.
    15. Paul, Justin & Criado, Alex Rialp, 2020. "The art of writing literature review: What do we know and what do we need to know?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).
    16. DonHee Lee, 2019. "Implementation of Collaborative Activities for Sustainable Supply Chain Innovation: An Analysis of the Firm Size Effect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-16, May.
    17. Ackroyd, Janette & Titmarsh, Louise & Coulter, Ben & Dombey, Abigail & Phillips, Paul S., 2006. "Business excellence through resource efficiency (betre): East Sussex waste minimisation programme," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 217-241.
    18. Hazrat Hassan & Qianwei Ying & Habib Ahmad & Sana Ilyas, 2019. "Factors that Sustain Health and Safety Management Practices in the Food Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-20, July.
    19. John Rincón-Moreno & Marta Ormazabal & Maria J. Álvarez & Carmen Jaca, 2020. "Shortcomings of Transforming a Local Circular Economy System through Industrial Symbiosis: A Case Study in Spanish SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-18, October.
    20. Matthew P. Johnson & Stefan Schaltegger, 2016. "Two Decades of Sustainability Management Tools for SMEs: How Far Have We Come?," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(2), pages 481-505, April.
    21. Stéphanie Looser & Walter Wehrmeyer, 2015. "Stakeholder mapping of CSR in Switzerland," Social Responsibility Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 11(4), pages 780-830, October.
    22. 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).
    23. Maria Emilsson & Ulf Ernstson & Linn Gustavsson & Ann Svensson, 2020. "Sustainable Innovations in Small Enterprises for the Transformation of the Primary Healthcare Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-19, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rodríguez-Espíndola, Oscar & Cuevas-Romo, Ana & Chowdhury, Soumyadeb & Díaz-Acevedo, Natalie & Albores, Pavel & Despoudi, Stella & Malesios, Chrisovalantis & Dey, Prasanta, 2022. "The role of circular economy principles and sustainable-oriented innovation to enhance social, economic and environmental performance: Evidence from Mexican SMEs," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    2. Nathalia Suchek & João J. Ferreira & Paula O. Fernandes, 2022. "A review of entrepreneurship and circular economy research: State of the art and future directions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2256-2283, July.
    3. Stuart Danvers & Jonathan Robertson & Ambika Zutshi, 2023. "Conceptualizing How Collaboration Advances Circularity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Pina Puntillo, 2023. "Circular economy business models: Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the waste management sector—Empirical evidence and theoretical implications," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 941-954, March.
    5. Joaquin Sanchez-Planelles & Marival Segarra-Oña & Angel Peiro-Signes, 2020. "Building a Theoretical Framework for Corporate Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-21, December.
    6. Marie Briguglio & Leandro J. Llorente-González & Christopher Meilak & Ángeles Pereira & Jonathan Spiteri & Xavier Vence, 2021. "Born or Grown: Enablers and Barriers to Circular Business in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-20, December.
    7. Chedrak Chembessi & Christophe Beaurain & Geneviève Cloutier, 2022. "Analyzing Technical and Organizational Changes in Circular Economy (CE) Implementation with a TOE Framework: Insights from a CE Project of Kamouraska (Quebec)," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    8. Pinget, Amandine, 2016. "Spécificités des déterminants des innovations environnementales : une approche appliquée aux PME [Specificities of determinants for environmental innovation : an approach applied to SMEs]," MPRA Paper 80108, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Mateusz Wielopolski & Willem Bulthuis, 2023. "The Better Building Initiative — a Collaborative Ecosystem Involving All Stakeholders as Catalyst to Accelerate the Adoption of Circular Economy Innovations in the Construction Sector," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    10. Stephen Taiwo Onifade & Bright Akwasi Gyamfi & Ilham Haouas & Simplice A. Asongu, 2024. "Extending the frontiers of financial development for sustainability of the MENA states: The roles of resource abundance and institutional quality," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 1971-1986, June.
    11. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & Suhaiza Zailani & Yasanur Kayikci & John G. Keogh, 2023. "Examining Knowledge Diffusion in the Circular Economy Domain: a Main Path Analysis," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    12. Germán López Pérez & Isabel María García Sánchez & José Luis Zafra Gómez, 2024. "A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of eco‐innovation on financial performance: Identifying barriers and drivers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 1321-1340, February.
    13. Graziela Darla Araujo Galvão & Steve Evans & Paulo Sergio Scoleze Ferrer & Marly Monteiro de Carvalho, 2022. "Circular business model: Breaking down barriers towards sustainable development," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1504-1524, May.
    14. Leonidas Milios, 2021. "Towards a Circular Economy Taxation Framework: Expectations and Challenges of Implementation," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    15. Antonella Zucchella & Pietro Previtali & Roger Strange, 2022. "Proactive and reactive views in the transition towards circular business models. A grounded study in the plastic packaging industry," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 1073-1102, September.
    16. Malte Jütting, 2020. "Exploring Mission-Oriented Innovation Ecosystems for Sustainability: Towards a Literature-Based Typology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-28, August.
    17. Fatoki Olawale, 2018. "Environmental Sustainability Practices of Immigrant-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa," European Review of Applied Sociology, Sciendo, vol. 11(17), pages 27-43, December.
    18. Sophia Barquete & Ana Hiromi Shimozono & Adriana Hofmann Trevisan & Camila Gonçalves Castro & Leonardo Augusto de Vasconcelos Gomes & Janaina Mascarenhas, 2022. "Exploring the Dynamic of a Circular Ecosystem: A Case Study about Drivers and Barriers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
    19. Ángela Triguero & María C. Cuerva & Francisco J. Sáez‐Martínez, 2022. "Closing the loop through eco‐innovation by European firms: Circular economy for sustainable development," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2337-2350, July.
    20. Abdulkarim Hasan Rashed & Afzal Shah, 2021. "The role of private sector in the implementation of sustainable development goals," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 2931-2948, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-023-01196-x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.