Pro-environmental enterprise support: Developing a framework to unlock the potential of SMEs in sustainability transitions.
Journal article
Authors | Gallotta, B., Baranova, P. and Paterson, F. |
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Abstract | Although entrepreneurship is well recognised as a crucial element in fostering economic development and growth, it is yet to be viewed as a significant force in sustainability transitions. Public policy related to the performance and growth of small businesses has, to date, paid little attention to the support mechanisms that help SMEs build capacity towards sustainable development. This paper offers a framework of pro-environmental enterprise support developed through a two-round e-Delphi study, followed by a 2.5-hour virtual focus group involving 21 experts across the spectrum of business support agencies, local authorities, and EU-funded projects delivering pro-environmental enterprise support in England. The findings indicate that support for pro-environmental SME capacity building includes attention to; eco-innovation, environmental strategy, environmental capability development, responsible leadership, sustainable value proposition, greening of supply chains, and clean growth skills. The study also concludes that support programmes and interventions need to be more attuned to the specifics of entrepreneurial learning; the challenges small business face in accessing, capturing, and utilising resources; and that broadening the scope and reach of pro-environmental support programmes needs to be matched by the competences of business support professionals. |
Keywords | Enterprise Support; Sustainability Transition; Entrepreneurial Learning; Delphi study; SMEs |
Year | 2024 |
Journal | Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit |
Journal citation | pp. 1-40 |
Publisher | SAGE Publications |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/0269094224123797 |
Web address (URL) | https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/02690942241237977 |
Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 05 Mar 2024 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 13 Mar 2024 |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/q5056/pro-environmental-enterprise-support-developing-a-framework-to-unlock-the-potential-of-smes-in-sustainability-transitions
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Accepted author manuscript
LEC-23-0053.R1_Proof_hi_Final paper.pdf | ||
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | ||
File access level: Open |
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