Sustainable Leadership and Strategic Management in SMEs

Dear Colleagues,

The need for sustainable business practices is driven by global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequalities, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability into the SME sector (Gadenne et al., 2009; Jenkins, 2009; Steurer, 2010). SMEs are central to many economies and pivotal in adopting sustainable practices due to their significant economic and social impact (Spence, 2007; Jenkins, 2009). However, they face unique challenges, including limited resources and lower levels of regulatory oversight compared to larger corporations, affecting their ability to engage in sustainability initiatives (Revell and Blackburn, 2007; Gadenne et al., 2009). This Special Issue on “Sustainable Leadership and Strategic Management in SMEs” explores how SMEs can integrate sustainability into their strategies and leadership. It aims to understand the role of leadership in promoting sustainability and how strategic management practices can incorporate sustainability within SME operations, while seeking to identify both barriers and solutions to aligning SMEs with viable and environmentally friendly practices.

The scope of this Special Issue aims to generate actionable insights for SMEs. It welcomes submissions on innovative sustainable strategies, their impact on SME performance, and the influence of leadership in cultivating a sustainability-oriented culture. Contributions may include empirical research, theoretical insights, and case studies that illustrate both successes and the specific challenges faced by SMEs. This Special Issue intends to deepen the understanding of how sustainable leadership and strategic management are implemented in SMEs, contributing to a sustainable development discourse and equipping SMEs with the tools for sustainable transformations. By incorporating diverse perspectives, the aim is to enhance the understanding and application of sustainable practices across various global SME contexts, significantly benefiting both academic fields and practical applications.

Indicative topics

The following topics represent a non-exhaustive list of suggested directions:

Leadership and Culture for Sustainability in SMEs: This topic invites studies that examine how leadership styles and organizational culture influence the adoption and effectiveness of sustainable practices within SMEs. Considering the pivotal role of leaders in shaping organizational culture, submissions may explore how transformational leadership can foster a sustainability-oriented culture within SMEs. Research could also delve into the challenges leaders face in balancing economic performance with environmental and social responsibilities, providing insights into how SMEs can overcome these barriers to achieve sustainable growth.

Innovative Business Models for SME Sustainability: We welcome papers that discuss innovative business models that integrate sustainability into the core strategy of SMEs. Studies might focus on how business model innovation (BMI) can be a strategic tool for sustainability, exploring the internal and external factors that drive BMI in the context of SMEs. Contributions could provide a holistic understanding of how SMEs can redesign their business models to be both sustainable and economically viable, drawing on recent advancements in the field.

Regulatory Challenges and Strategic Compliance in SMEs: This area seeks contributions that analyze the impact of regulatory environments on the sustainability efforts of SMEs. Papers may explore how SMEs navigate complex and diverse regulatory landscapes and how these regulations influence their strategic decisions related to sustainability. Research could examine strategies for compliance and innovation within regulatory frameworks, and how these strategies enable SMEs to contribute to wider sustainability goals.

Stakeholder Engagement and Value Co-Creation in SMEs: Under this topic, we invite studies on how SMEs manage stakeholder relationships and engage in value co-creation to enhance their sustainability. Contributions might focus on the processes and strategies used by SMEs to align the interests of diverse stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and local communities, and how these efforts contribute to sustainable development.

Technological Innovations and Sustainability in SMEs: Papers in this area could investigate how SMEs leverage technological innovations to improve their sustainability performance. Topics might include the adoption of green technologies, the use of digital tools to enhance environmental management, and how technology influences the sustainability strategies of SMEs. Research could also explore the barriers to technology adoption and strategies to overcome these challenges.

References

Gadenne, D., Kennedy, J., & McKeiver, C. (2009). An empirical study of environmental awareness and practices in SMEs. Journal of Business Ethics, 84(1), 45-63.

Jenkins, H. (2009). A ‘business opportunity’ model of corporate social responsibility for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Business Ethics: A European Review, 18(1), 21-36.

Steurer, R. (2010). The role of governments in corporate social responsibility: Characterising public policies on CSR in Europe. Policy Sciences, 43(1), 49-72.

Revell, A., & Blackburn, R. (2007). The business case for sustainability: An examination of small firms in the UK’s construction and restaurant sectors. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 25(6), 998-1012.

Spence, L. J. (2007). Social and environmental reporting and its role in maintaining or creating organizational legitimacy in SMEs. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 20(3), 411-434.

Dr. Senmao Xia
Dr. Zhaoxing Wang
Prof. Dr. Peiyu He
Prof. Yanguo Jing
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• SME
• sustainable leadership
• strategic management
• sustainability practices
• regulatory impact
• technological innovation
• environmental impact