Integrating Sustainability into SME Strategy

Authors

  • Jeff Shields University of North Carolina, Ashville
  • Joyce M. Shelleman University of Maryland, University College

Abstract

Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) increasingly are expected to develop strategies to accommodate accelerating global sustainability reporting requirements and proactively address sustainability considerations. Many lack a structured approach to facilitate getting started with strategy formulation in response to this significant change in their external environment. This paper presents a readily applicable and practical method SMEs can apply to integrate sustainability considerations as a beginning toward developing a sustainability strategy. Current sustainability issues are identified and discussed with respect to determining company capabilities and assessing the external business environment. This classification of critical sustainability issues offers a flexible planning innovation well-suited to smaller enterprises seeking to begin developing a sustainability strategy. 

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Published

2015-10-27

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 2 (2015)

Section

Special Section

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How to Cite

Integrating Sustainability into SME Strategy. (2015). Journal of Small Business Strategy (archive Only), 25(2), 59-78. https://libjournals.mtsu.edu/index.php/jsbs/article/view/561