scholarly journals Environmental Sustainability Practices of Immigrant-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 27-43
Author(s):  
Olawale Fatoki

AbstractEnvironmental sustainability of immigrant-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is important to a country’s long-term sustainable development. The study investigated the environmental sustainability practices (ESP) of immigrant-owned SMEs. In addition, the study examined the effect of demographic factors (age, gender and level of education) on ESP. The study also investigated the relationship between ESP and financial performance of SMEs. Data was collected from one hundred and eighty two immigrant small business owners. The survey method (self-administered questionnaire) was used for data collection. The participants in the study were conveniently sampled. Descriptive statistics, T-test, Pearson correlation and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The results indicated that immigrant-owned SMEs are engaged in recycling, energy efficiency and reduction of waste and pollution. Their involvement in environmentally friendly products and environmental management policy is limited. Females exhibit higher levels of recycling, waste reduction energy efficiency and reduction of pollution. Age and level of education positively affect environmental sustainability practices. Waste reduction, energy efficiency and reduction of pollution have significant positive relationships with financial performance. Recommendations to improve EPS are suggested.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasimu Sendawula ◽  
Vincent Bagire ◽  
Cathy Ikiror Mbidde ◽  
Peter Turyakira

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between environmental commitment and environmental sustainability practices of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a cross-sectional and correlational design using evidence from 106 manufacturing SMEs in Uganda. Data was analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 23. Findings Results show that environmental commitment is a significant predictor of environmental sustainability practices and its dimensions which comprise of eco-friendly packaging, energy efficiency, waste management and water conservation of the manufacturing SMEs in Uganda. Originality/value This study offers initial evidence on the association between environmental commitment and environmental sustainability practices using evidence from a developing country’s perspective. The results also provide new insights on the relationship between environmental commitment and the dimensions of environmental sustainability practices which comprise of eco-friendly packaging, energy efficiency, waste management and water conservation.


Author(s):  
ROWELL DIAZ ◽  
Ma. Teresa Alfaro

This study was conducted to propose the Green Economic Development Plan for Manufacturing S.M.E.s based on financial performance and operations thru Green Initiatives. The descriptive survey method used to gather data to determine the green initiative's implementation of small and medium (S.M.E.s) manufacturing enterprises. Green initiatives use as a basis for crafting a green economic development plan. Document analysis was also employed to obtain data from any available printed materials and records provided by the respondents. Such methods of gathering information used to validate data gathered from local and foreign-related literature. The observation also employed to survey the assets owned and validate any green initiatives practiced, including their implementation. The study's findings show that among the green initiatives implemented by SMMEs, which resulted in the reduction of total costs and expenses, were the proper disposal and segregation of waste materials, water management by recycling wastewater and using water-efficient equipment, natural resources, and raw materials management. SMMEs should encourage active participation and support of suppliers and customers in achieving G.E.D.'s objectives by developing incentive schemes.Furthermore, SMMEs should continue to benchmark with G.E.D. Practitioners are operating locally and abroad to adopt best greening strategies and regularly network with concerned government agencies for continuous updating on G.E.D. Initiatives that may benefit the firm. Further research may be conducted on green initiatives implemented by small and medium enterprises in other industry sectors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Mª Teresa B. Alfaro ◽  
Rowell Agliones Diaz

<p class="Abstract">This study was conducted to propose the Green Economic Development Plan for Manufacturing S.M.E.s based on financial performance and operations thru Green Initiatives. The descriptive survey method used to gather data to determine the green initiative's implementation of small and medium (S.M.E.s) manufacturing enterprises. Green initiatives use as a basis for crafting a green economic development plan.  Document analysis was also employed to obtain data from any available printed materials and records provided by the respondents.  Such methods of gathering information used to validate data gathered from local and foreign-related literature.  The observation also employed to survey the assets owned and validate any green initiatives practiced, including their implementation. The study's findings show that among the green initiatives implemented by SMMEs, which resulted in the reduction of total costs and expenses, were the proper disposal and segregation of waste materials, water management by recycling wastewater and using water-efficient equipment, natural resources, and raw materials management.  SMMEs should encourage active participation and support of suppliers and customers in achieving G.E.D.'s objectives by developing incentive schemes. <span lang="EN-US">Furthermore, SMMEs should continue to benchmark with G.E.D. Practitioners are operating locally and abroad to adopt best greening strategies and regularly network with concerned government agencies for continuous updating on G.E.D. Initiatives that may benefit the firm.  Further research may be conducted on green initiatives implemented by small and medium enterprises in other industry sectors.</span></p>


Author(s):  
Hongxia Liu ◽  
Michelle Fong

This paper examines the Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) orientation of Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) based on their internal functions, including training, job creation, quality assurance and environmental sustainability. In addition, it also examines the relationship between their CSR orientation and firms’ financial performance. Despite SMEs’ participation and investment in training, job creation, and environmental sustainability, their involvement and action have not produced a statistically significant positive relationship with their financial performance (as measured by profitability and sales revenue). The only CSR-oriented activity that registered a statistically significant positive impact on financial performance was quality assurance.


2019 ◽  
pp. 989-1008
Author(s):  
Gurudas Nulkar

The rate and scale of environmental degradation, through economic activities, has triggered widespread awakening among businesses, governments and civil society. The world over, corporations have responded by adopting sustainability practices and reporting. However, much of these happen within the premises of the corporations. As larger organizations outsource their manufacturing and service operations to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), they effectively shift their environmental burden on their vendors. In most developing countries, poor regulations and weak enforcement of environment laws leave the SMEs on their own, to improve their environmental practices. However, their limited resources and managerial capabilities are often inadequate to undertake sustainability practices. This chapter presents the findings of a research conducted among engineering SMEs in India. It proposes a lifecycle approach towards environmental practices and discusses potential business benefits and value creation from this. The chapter gives a roadmap for green business strategies, which SMEs can implement within their organization.


Author(s):  
Gurudas Nulkar

The rate and scale of environmental degradation, through economic activities, has triggered widespread awakening among businesses, governments and civil society. The world over, corporations have responded by adopting sustainability practices and reporting. However, much of these happen within the premises of the corporations. As larger organizations outsource their manufacturing and service operations to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), they effectively shift their environmental burden on their vendors. In most developing countries, poor regulations and weak enforcement of environment laws leave the SMEs on their own, to improve their environmental practices. However, their limited resources and managerial capabilities are often inadequate to undertake sustainability practices. This chapter presents the findings of a research conducted among engineering SMEs in India. It proposes a lifecycle approach towards environmental practices and discusses potential business benefits and value creation from this. The chapter gives a roadmap for green business strategies, which SMEs can implement within their organization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-236
Author(s):  
Icuk Rangga Bawono

This research aims to determine The Influence of Owner Education Levels, Owner Accounting Knowledge, Business Scale, and Business Age on the Use of Accounting Information in MSMEs in Wonogiri Sub-district. The method of data collection conducted in this study is a survey method with a questionnaire. This research was conducted at Regional Wonogiri regency. The dependent  variable  of  this  study  is  owner  education  levels,  owner  accounting  knowledge, business scale, and business age. The sample in this study amounted to 45 samples and Research is quantitative which uses an analytical approach descriptive. The level of education has a significant influence on the use of accounting information, accounting knowledge has a significant influence on the use of accounting information, business scale does not have a significant influence on the use of accounting information, business age has a significant influence on the use of accounting information, accounting knowledge has the most influence  dominant  to  the  use  of  accounting  information  in  Micro,  Small  and  Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Wonogiri District.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097226292110588
Author(s):  
Raj K. Kovid ◽  
Babita Bhati ◽  
Gunjan Mohan Sharma

The entrepreneurs leverage their competence to exploit the entrepreneurial opportunities in a market leading to improved firm performance. This study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial competences and financial and non-financial performances of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It further investigates whether presence of institutional voids moderates this relationship. Using the survey method, the data were collected from owner-cum-founder of 204 SMEs from manufacturing sector, in the National Capital Region of India, an emerging economy. A structured questionnaire was used to capture the data. The results suggest that entrepreneurial competence significantly affects the financial performance of the firm whereas it has insignificant effect on the non-financial performance. Further, institutional voids moderate the relationship between entrepreneurial competence and non-financial performance of the firms whereas it does not show any moderating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurial competence and financial performance of SMEs. This study does have some managerial implications for entrepreneurs who can use their competencies to the fullest while working around institutional voids. This study contributes to advance the understanding about the role of institutional voids in influencing the relation of entrepreneurial competence with SMEs’ performance.


GIS Business ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 9-10
Author(s):  
Shweta Mathur ◽  
Kavita Khanna ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar Saxena

The research paper is an empirical work to ascertain the awareness and satisfaction levels of the hotel guests on the sustainability practices in Five Star hotels in Delhi. This paper also aims to determine the extent to which certain sustainability practices influence customer preferences and requirements. The methodology used in this research included a survey method, combined with an extensive secondary research and descriptive methods. The survey was conducted in selected Five star and Five-star deluxe hotels in Delhi from June 2016 until September 2016. The results of the study establish a direct relationship of sustainability practices with customers satisfaction in Five Star Hotels in Delhi, however, it reveals that the prevailing sustainability practices do not satisfy the guests to a considerable extent. The research results can be used by hotel managers in order to improve and adopt sustainability strategy in their management policy in order to raise the level of awareness towards the hotels sustainability initiatives undertaken and then to meet the demands of cognizant guests and for the sake of its own business survival.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Xénia Szanyi-Gyenes ◽  
György Mudri ◽  
Mária Bakosné Böröcz

The role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is unquestionable in the European economies, while financial opportunities are still inadequate for them. The more than 20 million SMEs play a significant role in European economic growth, innovation and job creation. According to the latest EC Annual Report , SMEs are accounting for 99% of all non-financial enterprises, employing 88.8 million people and generating almost EUR 3.7 tn in added value for our economy. Despite the fact that there is plenty of EU funding available for these SMEs, for certain reasons these funds hardly reach them. But we have to see that the EU supports SMEs by various way, e.g. by grants, regulatory changes, financial instrument, direct funds. On the other hand, SMEs and decision makers realised that the environmental sustainability has to be attached to the economic growth, therefore more and more tools are available for these enterprises. Over the last few years, public institutions, the market, the financial community and non-governmental associations have explicitly demanded that firms improve their environmental performance. One of the greatest opportunities might lay in the Climate- and Energy Strategy till 2030 as 20% of the EU budget is allocated to climate-related actions, however the easy access to finance is still a key question. Does the EU recognise the actual difficulties? Is there a systemic reason behind the absorption problems? Is the EU creating a more businessfriendly environment for SMEs, facilitating access to finance, stimulates the green and sustainable growth and improving access to new markets? The paper analyses the current European situation of the SMEs and the effectiveness of some new tools, which are specially targeting SMEs. JEL classification: Q18


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