Sustainability for SMEs

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Author(s): Kaushik V. Pandya (Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University, UK)
Copyright: 2013
Pages: 17
Source title: Enterprise Development in SMEs and Entrepreneurial Firms: Dynamic Processes
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Nelson Oly Ndubisi (Griffith University, Australia)and Sonny Nwankwo (University of East London, UK)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-2952-3.ch007

Keywords: Business & Management / Business Science Reference / Enterprise Information Systems / Small and Medium Enterprises

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Abstract

In the past decade, or so, sustainability has become important for businesses. It is not just the preserve of the private sector anymore. Sustainability has been followed by organizations in all industrial sectors. This is not because it is a buzzword, but because it offers genuine competitive advantage to private organizations and green credentials to other. This is true especially to SMEs where, in the current economic climate, their survival relies on any advantage they get, no matter how small. In this chapter on sustainability, various definitions are offered. A discussion is undertaken on the consequences of not considering sustainability as part of strategy and/or operations in an SME. These are not just green, but extended to economic as well. It is proposed that sustainability be part of SME’s strategy, with details of potential benefits. A discussion on the performance indicators for the implementation is shown. It is considered that an agent would be most appropriate to lead the implementation as s/he would be ideal in considering the stake holders requirements. In the chapter, regular questions enable the readers to link the issues in the paper to their organization of work or an organization they are familiar with.

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