Sustainable Business in SMEs: case Kiosked
Putvinskiene, Ausra (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023060320953
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023060320953
Tiivistelmä
The main goal of this thesis development work is to investigate reasons why small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are slow in implementing sustainable business strategies. What is needed, and what is the process of applying business strategy in SMEs is thus a focal question. Kiosked is selected as a case study.
SMEs account for approximately 90 percent of all businesses globally and play a crucial role in economic and social development. Because of such large scale, their contribution to sustainability is essential. Individually SMEs have little influence, but when combined, they can make a significant difference.
Theoretical framework of this development work defines relevant concepts and discusses sustainable business theory and SMEs' role in sustainable business context. Furthermore, Sustainable Development Goals and their implementation in businesses is studied.
The thesis is based on broad qualitative research, with interviews serving as the primary method of research. Seven in depth interviews were conducted with Kiosked employees during February-March 2023. In addition, literature research was used to define the concepts and suggest best practices for SMEs to implement sustainable business strategies in their daily operations.
The findings suggest that SMEs implement sustainable business strategies slowly due to lack of knowledge and a perception of having a minor impact on a global scale. As a result, key recommendations and streamlined procedures for implementation of sustainable business practices by SMEs and Kiosked were compiled. In addition, successful examples that can be replicated were provided.
SMEs account for approximately 90 percent of all businesses globally and play a crucial role in economic and social development. Because of such large scale, their contribution to sustainability is essential. Individually SMEs have little influence, but when combined, they can make a significant difference.
Theoretical framework of this development work defines relevant concepts and discusses sustainable business theory and SMEs' role in sustainable business context. Furthermore, Sustainable Development Goals and their implementation in businesses is studied.
The thesis is based on broad qualitative research, with interviews serving as the primary method of research. Seven in depth interviews were conducted with Kiosked employees during February-March 2023. In addition, literature research was used to define the concepts and suggest best practices for SMEs to implement sustainable business strategies in their daily operations.
The findings suggest that SMEs implement sustainable business strategies slowly due to lack of knowledge and a perception of having a minor impact on a global scale. As a result, key recommendations and streamlined procedures for implementation of sustainable business practices by SMEs and Kiosked were compiled. In addition, successful examples that can be replicated were provided.