How can we support SMEs on their sustainability journey? Addressing the gaps in research and practice
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2025
Typ of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
04B - Conference paper
Editor (Corporation)
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Parent work
Conference proceedings. 10th International conference on new business models NBM 2025
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DOI of the original publication
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Series number
Volume
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
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Publisher / Publishing institution
Háskóli Íslands
Place of publication / Event location
Reykjavik
Edition
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Practice partner / Client
Abstract
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in the transition toward sustainable business practices. However, they face significant barriers, including financial constraints, limited internal expertise, and fragmented regulatory support. Despite the increasing focus on corporate sustainability, a significant gap remains in the literature regarding structured support mechanisms for SMEs in their sustainability transitions. Existing research often fails to account for the highly context-dependent challenges SMEs face. This study addresses this gap by examining the key barriers and enablers of SME sustainability and proposing a concrete methodological approach to co-develop tailored support mechanisms in collaboration with stakeholders.
Through a systematic literature review, this study identifies financial and regulatory incentives, capacity-building initiatives, and multi-stakeholder collaboration as critical enablers of SME sustainability. Additionally, it highlights the shortcomings of current research, which largely relies on cross-sectional analyses and lacks iterative, practice-oriented methodologies. By integrating theoretical insights with real-world applications, this study contributes to both academic discourse and practical sustainability strategies for SMEs. By leveraging Action Research, this study advocates for an adaptive, participatory approach that enables SMEs to navigate sustainability transitions through continuous feedback loops and stakeholder engagement. The findings emphasize the need for long-term, context-specific interventions and call for further research into collaborative support mechanisms that align with SMEs’ unique operational realities. Ultimately, this study provides a structured pathway for advancing SME sustainability while addressing a critical methodological gap in existing literature.
Keywords
Subject (DDC)
Event
10th new business models conference 2025
Exhibition start date
Exhibition end date
Conference start date
25.06.2025
Conference end date
26.06.2025
Date of the last check
ISBN
978-9935-9789-1-2
ISSN
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the abstract
Open access category
Closed
License
Citation
Pavlova, P., Schmid, R., Besançon, E., & Daub, C.-H. (2025). How can we support SMEs on their sustainability journey? Addressing the gaps in research and practice. In L. Jóhannsdóttir, Þ. S. Þórisdóttir, & A. Akmal (Eds.), Conference proceedings. 10th International conference on new business models NBM 2025. Háskóli Íslands. https://doi.org/10.33112/TYEU6589