Optimizing Sustainable Resource Efficiency: A Fuzzy‐Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Sustainable Practices in SMEs

IF 12.5 1区管理学 Q1 BUSINESS Business Strategy and The Environment Pub Date : 2025-01-09 DOI:10.1002/bse.4125

Abeeku S. Edu, Eunice Ofosuhene, Divine Q. Agozie, Bright Akwasi Gyamfi, Simplice A. Asongu

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Abstract

This study examines the influence of sustainability practices on resource efficiency in Ghana's small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), utilizing a comprehensive framework that integrates environmental and social dimensions, enabling conditions, innovative practices, and technological advancements. Through a survey of 462 manufacturing SMEs, the research uncovers the complex interrelationships between sustainability practices and their impact on resource efficiency. The findings reveal four distinct sustainability pathways: the first underscores the critical importance of environmental dimensions and enabling conditions without robust social dimensions and innovative practices. The second highlights the significance of environmental and enabling conditions, even when technological innovativeness is limited. The third and fourth pathways emphasize the pivotal role of social dimensions and technological innovation, with innovative practices as supportive elements. Additionally, two typologies emerge, illustrating the integration of environmental and social dimensions with enabling conditions and the synergy between technological innovation, social dimensions, and innovative practices. This research advances the discourse on sustainability within SMEs, emphasizing the necessity for reduced resource consumption, conservation, efficient production, circular economy principles, and waste minimization. The findings suggest that achieving SDG 8.4 by 2030, which targets global resource efficiency, hinges on adopting these sustainable pathways with emphasis on Ghanaian SMEs. This study provides a deeper understanding of sustainability practices among developing economy SMEs, shedding light on the intricate dynamics that enhance resource management. It offers critical insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to promote sustainability in local SMEs, particularly in Ghana, advocating for a holistic approach that considers the multifaceted nature of sustainability.

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优化可持续资源效率：中小企业可持续实践的模糊集定性比较分析

本研究考察了可持续发展实践对加纳中小企业（sme）资源效率的影响，采用了一个综合框架，将环境和社会维度、有利条件、创新实践和技术进步整合在一起。通过对462家制造业中小企业的调查，该研究揭示了可持续发展实践与其对资源效率的影响之间复杂的相互关系。研究结果揭示了四种不同的可持续发展途径：第一种强调了在没有强大的社会维度和创新实践的情况下，环境维度和有利条件的至关重要性。第二点强调了环境和有利条件的重要性，即使在技术创新有限的情况下也是如此。第三和第四种途径强调社会层面和技术创新的关键作用，创新实践是支持因素。此外，出现了两种类型，说明了环境和社会维度与有利条件的整合，以及技术创新、社会维度和创新实践之间的协同作用。本研究推进了中小企业可持续发展的论述，强调了减少资源消耗、节约、高效生产、循环经济原则和减少废物的必要性。研究结果表明，到2030年实现以全球资源效率为目标的可持续发展目标8.4取决于采用这些可持续发展途径，重点是加纳的中小企业。本研究对发展中经济体中小企业的可持续发展实践提供了更深入的了解，揭示了加强资源管理的复杂动态。它为寻求促进当地中小企业（特别是加纳的中小企业）可持续发展的政策制定者和实践者提供了重要的见解，倡导一种考虑可持续发展的多面性的整体方法。

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来源期刊

Business Strategy and The Environment Multiple-

CiteScore

22.50

自引率

19.40%

发文量

336

期刊介绍： Business Strategy and the Environment (BSE) is a leading academic journal focused on business strategies for improving the natural environment. It publishes peer-reviewed research on various topics such as systems and standards, environmental performance, disclosure, eco-innovation, corporate environmental management tools, organizations and management, supply chains, circular economy, governance, green finance, industry sectors, and responses to climate change and other contemporary environmental issues. The journal aims to provide original contributions that enhance the understanding of sustainability in business. Its target audience includes academics, practitioners, business managers, and consultants. However, BSE does not accept papers on corporate social responsibility (CSR), as this topic is covered by its sibling journal Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. The journal is indexed in several databases and collections such as ABI/INFORM Collection, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOBASE, Emerald Management Reviews, GeoArchive, Environment Index, GEOBASE, INSPEC, Technology Collection, and Web of Science.