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Facilitators of and Barriers to Sustainable Development in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Descriptive Exploratory Study in Romania

Author

Listed:
  • Catalina Costache

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences, ”Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550025 Sibiu, Romania)

  • Danut-Dumitru Dumitrascu

    (Research Center for Sustainable Products and Processes, Engineering Faculty, ”Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550025 Sibiu, Romania)

  • Ionela Maniu

    (Mathematics and Informatics Department, Research Center in Informatics and Information Technology, Faculty of Sciences, ”Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550025 Sibiu, Romania)

Abstract
In the context of growing concerns regarding the deterioration of the environment and the increase in social inequalities, the concept of sustainability emerged as a response of companies, in order to contribute to community goodwill. The drivers and obstacles for the businesses engaging in sustainable policies have been explored at large by scientific literature. However, research gaps were observed, namely regarding SMEs, that tend to have a less formal and more fragmented approach to sustainability. The goal of our study is to determine the main barriers and facilitators for sustainability that Romanian SMEs face, and the connections between them and with the firms’ characteristics. Our study identifies the main barriers and facilitators for adopting sustainable practices in SMEs located in Romania, based on a study on a panel of 71 firms. The association rule method of data mining and quantitative statistic methods were used to explore barrier–facilitator relationships and how they vary depending on the firms’ or managers’ characteristics. The results show a wide range of drivers and obstacles for implementing sustainability in SMEs, while identifying connections between different barriers and facilitators and correlations with the firms’ characteristics. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of factors that impact sustainable behavior in SMEs and identify further aspects to be explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Catalina Costache & Danut-Dumitru Dumitrascu & Ionela Maniu, 2021. "Facilitators of and Barriers to Sustainable Development in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Descriptive Exploratory Study in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3213-:d:517239
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Ionela Maniu & Cătălina Costache & Dănuţ-Dumitru Dumitraşcu, 2021. "Adoption of Green Environmental Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Entrepreneur and Business Policies Patterns in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-21, April.
    5. Ramona Lacurezeanu & Alexandru Chis & Vasile Paul Bresfelean, 2021. "Integrated Management Solution for a Sustainable SME—Selection Proposal Using AHP," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-23, September.
    6. Jiang, Yihuo & Ni, Hongliang & Guo, Xiaomei & Ni, Yihan, 2023. "Integrating ESG practices and natural resources management for sustainable economic development in SMEs under the double-carbon target of China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(PA).

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