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Sustainability
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Sustainability and Innovation in SMEs
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Sustainability and Innovation in SMEs

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 12 August 2024 | Viewed by 3182

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ionica Oncioiu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Economic Sciences, Titu Maiorescu University, Bucuresti, Romania
Interests: innovation and economic development; business performance; strategic management; sustainable resources management; sustainable business practices; corporate sustainability; environmental regulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Today, responsible behaviors are increasingly being embedded into new business models and strategies that are designed to meet the broad array of environmental, societal and governance deficits. Increasing numbers of medium-sized businesses are realizing that sustainability is an excellent site via which to devise innovative and ways of doing business. In order to successfully implement an innovation, businesses must make a strategic push to manage their efforts, keeping a mind toward overall business goals. Innovation comes with many challenges; some of these can be mitigated through creating systems for managing operational innovation. In addition, disruptive technologies in production and products are of increasing importance in view of the digitization of things (internet of things—IoT), industry 4.0, the trend towards renewable energies and the increased customer individualization.

In this Special Issue, we welcome both original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following areas:

  • How can small- and medium-sized companies increase their innovative strength?
  • How do medium-sized companies manage to gain competitive advantages over large companies in the course of globalization?
  • What are the factors that can influence the innovative success of a company?
  • Does technology provide inclusive solutions to sustainability issues?
  • Is the goal of information systems-driven networking to create a business ecosystem?
  • Is innovation management a must for decision-makers, strategists, and leaders in small- and medium-sized companies?
  • Can we speak of digitization in the context of structured support for the implementation or optimization of a sustainable innovation process?
  • How do successful innovations and business models emerge that radically change markets and grow very quickly from a small initial spark?
  • How can already successful companies position themselves effectively in the course of disruptive change?
  • What are the benefits of sustainability reporting for a company and how can it help increase a company's market success?
  • Which CSR activities prove to be especially conducive to innovation?

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Ionica Oncioiu
Guest Editor

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.

Keywords

  • innovation bases models
  • digital technologies
  • financial technology
  • e-business
  • business intelligence systems
  • digital strategy
  • new strategies and competitive businesses
  • strategic entrepreneurship
  • human resources management
  • communication and leadership
  • supply chain management
  • business excellence
  • marketing intelligence systems
  • Industry 4.0 for SMEs
  • artificial intelligence
  • sustainability assessment
  • environmental performance
  • sustainable governance
  • corporate social responsibility
  • sustainable digital business
  • sustainable competitive advantage
  • big data analytics
  • sustainability accounting and reporting
  • integrated reporting
  • financing SMEs
  • ethical behavior

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 689 KiB  
Article
The Innovative Entrepreneurial Marketing Journey and Sustainable Development of Southeast Asian Immigrants
by Yu-Heng Chen
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2815; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072815 - 28 Mar 2024
Viewed by 448
Abstract
The southeast Asian new immigrants face significant barriers in employment due to language and cultural differences, making it challenging for them to find jobs. Consequently, many southeast Asian immigrants have turned to entrepreneurship as a means to achieve economic independence and contribute to [...] Read more.
The southeast Asian new immigrants face significant barriers in employment due to language and cultural differences, making it challenging for them to find jobs. Consequently, many southeast Asian immigrants have turned to entrepreneurship as a means to achieve economic independence and contribute to their family’s income. This study adopts entrepreneurial marketing (EM) as a theoretical lens and utilizes a process research methodology, based on sequentially ordered events, to explore the entrepreneurial journey of immigrant micro and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Employing purposive sampling, twenty-two southeast Asian immigrant entrepreneurs were selected for in-depth interviews to ensure data quality through multiple data collection methods. The research developed a dynamic adjustment model and management mechanisms for the entrepreneurial marketing of immigrant micro and SMEs. These findings not only bridge theoretical gaps in immigrant entrepreneurship strategy but also deepen the academic understanding of the dynamism in entrepreneurial marketing. Practically, the outcomes assist immigrant micro and small business entrepreneurs in developing operational strategies and serve as a reference for governmental units in crafting immigrant policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in SMEs)
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19 pages, 1762 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Competitiveness through Strategic Knowledge Sharing as a Driver of Innovation Capability and Performance
by Simon S. M. Yuen and H. Y. Lam
Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2460; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062460 - 15 Mar 2024
Viewed by 572
Abstract
In an era marked by global challenges, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmaceutical sector stands at the forefront of innovation, tasked with delivering therapeutic breakthroughs at an unprecedented pace. This study ventures beyond the well-trodden path by probing the intricate dynamics of [...] Read more.
In an era marked by global challenges, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmaceutical sector stands at the forefront of innovation, tasked with delivering therapeutic breakthroughs at an unprecedented pace. This study ventures beyond the well-trodden path by probing the intricate dynamics of knowledge sharing as a strategic catalyst for bolstering innovation capability and performance (ICP) within pharmaceutical firms. We argue that knowledge sharing transcends conventional utility, acting as a pivotal lever that amplifies innovation within a highly regulated and competitive landscape. Through meticulous analysis, we unearth a nuanced synergy among six pivotal domains—organizational culture, managerial commitment, technological infrastructure, trust, reciprocal benefits, and knowledge dissemination. Our research model, anchored in a robust body of literature, reveals that while these elements individually support ICP, their collective orchestration through knowledge-sharing networks yields a magnified impact on innovation outcomes. We present novel insights illustrating that the interplay between these domains and knowledge-sharing practices engenders a fertile ecosystem for innovation, where diverse stakeholders contribute to richer, more robust ICP. Our findings underscore the strategic imperative for pharmaceutical firms to cultivate an integrated knowledge-sharing culture, not merely as good practice but as a cornerstone for sustained innovation and competitive superiority in a rapidly evolving industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in SMEs)
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18 pages, 579 KiB  
Article
The Entrepreneurial Leadership, Innovative Behaviour, and Competitive Advantage Relationship in Manufacturing Companies: A Key to Manufactural Development and Sustainable Business
by Kansu Ercantan, Şerife Z. Eyupoglu and Özlem Ercantan
Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2407; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062407 - 14 Mar 2024
Viewed by 842
Abstract
The ability of management to influence employee attitudes and behaviours towards organizational goals is pivotal for an organization’s competitiveness, development, and survival. The study’s objective was to investigate the link between entrepreneurial leadership, competitive advantage, and manufacturing development, mediated by employees’ innovative behaviour, [...] Read more.
The ability of management to influence employee attitudes and behaviours towards organizational goals is pivotal for an organization’s competitiveness, development, and survival. The study’s objective was to investigate the link between entrepreneurial leadership, competitive advantage, and manufacturing development, mediated by employees’ innovative behaviour, via the lens of resource-based view theory. Convenience sampling was used to collect quantitative data from the 378 manufacturing sector employees through the use of a cross-sectional design. There is a lack of research on the underlying mechanisms by which leaders influence organizational processes, such as innovation stimulation. This study explores the psychological mechanisms influencing entrepreneurial leadership and employee innovative behaviour, revealing that entrepreneurial leadership reduces work uncertainty, encourages innovation, and significantly impacts a firm’s competitive advantage in the market. The findings of the study revealed that entrepreneurial leadership fosters an encouraging and supportive environment in the workplace, which in turn leads to a sustainable competitive advantage. Additionally, the findings showed that innovative behaviour significantly mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership and competitive advantage. By expanding the applicability of resource-based view theory, the results of this research also contribute to the comprehension of the interplay between innovative attitudes, manufactural development, competitive advantage, and leadership, specifically in the context of manufacturing sector organizations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in SMEs)
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11 pages, 641 KiB  
Article
Does Quality Certification or Product Diversification Improve the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises?
by Duc-Niem Le and Van-Hoa Nguyen
Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 2023; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052023 - 29 Feb 2024
Viewed by 509
Abstract
This study utilizes a Cobb–Douglas production function and an instrumental variables regression approach to analyze the impact of quality certification and product diversification on asset productivity at the firm level. Analyzing a panel dataset of approximately 2500 firms from 2011, 2013, and 2015 [...] Read more.
This study utilizes a Cobb–Douglas production function and an instrumental variables regression approach to analyze the impact of quality certification and product diversification on asset productivity at the firm level. Analyzing a panel dataset of approximately 2500 firms from 2011, 2013, and 2015 showed that regional norms significantly influence adoption behaviors, which vary across industries and business types. The study reveals that firms employing computers and those with a larger scale are more inclined to adopt these strategies. The results showed that quality certification enhances asset productivity by approximately 26%, highlighting its positive role. In contrast, firms with diversified products exhibit about 18% lower asset productivity than mono-product firms, suggesting a trade-off inherent in diversification. The study concludes with policy recommendations emphasizing the promotion of quality certification while carefully considering the complexities and potential inefficiencies arising from product diversification strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in SMEs)
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