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Environmental Strategy and Competitive Advantage: The Role of Small‐ and Medium‐Sized enterprises' Dynamic Capabilities

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  • Wai Wai Ko
  • Gordon Liu

Abstract

Drawing on the resource‐based theory and institutional theory, we develop a framework to explain the processes by which the environmental strategy of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) contributes to their competitive advantage. We test our assumption using data collected from 214 UK‐based SMEs in the technology sector. We find that the effects of environmental strategy can lead to development of their marketing competence, as well as research and development (R&D) competence, which ultimately contributes to superior financial performance. We also find that a reciprocal causal relationship exists between SMEs' marketing and R&D competences. Combined, we reveal the presence of a serial multiple mediation relationship between SMEs' environmental strategy and financial performance through marketing competence and then R&D competence, or vice versa. Our study offers important academic and managerial implications, and also points out future research directions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Suggested Citation

  • Wai Wai Ko & Gordon Liu, 2017. "Environmental Strategy and Competitive Advantage: The Role of Small‐ and Medium‐Sized enterprises' Dynamic Capabilities," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(5), pages 584-596, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:26:y:2017:i:5:p:584-596
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.1938
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    6. Bomi Song & Donghyun Choi, 2018. "Dynamic Capability of the Firm as Driver of Green Supply Chain Management Implementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-16, July.
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    12. Md. Aftab Uddin & Shetu Ranjan Biswas & Swadip Bhattacharjee & Mouri Dey & Monowar Mahmood, 2021. "Inspiring employees' ecological behaviors: The roles of corporate environmental strategy, biospheric values, and eco‐centric leadership," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(5), pages 2367-2381, July.
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    14. Hanne Knight & Phil Megicks & Sheela Agarwal & M.A.A.M. Leenders, 2019. "Firm resources and the development of environmental sustainability among small and medium‐sized enterprises: Evidence from the Australian wine industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 25-39, January.
    15. Svetlana Ignjatijević & Jelena Vapa Tankosić & Nemanja Lekić & Duško Petrović & Sandra Brkanlić & Bojan Vapa & Vladimir Tomašević & Nikola Puvača & Radivoj Prodanović & Irena Milojević, 2022. "Agro-Environmental Practices and Business Performance in the Wine Sector," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-21, February.
    16. Polina Baranova & Fred Paterson, 2017. "Environmental capabilities of small and medium sized enterprises: Towards transition to a low carbon economy in the East Midlands," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 32(8), pages 835-853, December.

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