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Environmental Orientation of Small Enterprises: Can Microcredit-Assisted Microenterprises be “Green”?

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  • A. K. M. Shahidullah

    (Natural Resources Institute, 70 Dysart Road, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T2N2, Canada)

  • C. Emdad Haque

    (Natural Resources Institute, 70 Dysart Road, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T2N2, Canada)

Abstract

The objective of this research was to explore, both theoretically and empirically, the ecological impacts of small-scale entrepreneurial ventures in developing countries. To this end, six microenterprises in rural southwestern Bangladesh established using green-microcredit strategies were evaluated in terms of goals, operational procedures, economic viability, social contributions, and impact on local ecological sustainability. This research revealed that the majority of such enterprises are not only sustainable and comply with current ecological standards, but also contribute a considerable number of vital ecosystem services while simultaneously maintaining suitably high profit margins to promise long-term economic viability. These findings indicate that microenterprises given environmental guidance by developmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—especially NGOs microfinance institutions, NGO-MFIs—have the potential to make significant ecological contributions and address the issue of climate change from the bottom of the social ladder upwards.

Suggested Citation

  • A. K. M. Shahidullah & C. Emdad Haque, 2014. "Environmental Orientation of Small Enterprises: Can Microcredit-Assisted Microenterprises be “Green”?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(6), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:6:p:3232-3251:d:36470
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fiona Tilley & Bradley D. Parrish, 2006. "From poles to wholes: facilitating an integrated approach to sustainable entrepreneurship," World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 2(4), pages 281-294.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nadeera Ranabahu & Ananda Wickramasinghe, 2022. "Sustainable Leadership in Microfinance: A Pathway for Sustainable Initiatives in Micro and Small Businesses?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Stephen Morse & Ioannis Vogiatzakis, 2014. "Special Edition: Environment in Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(11), pages 1-5, November.
    3. Mirjana Radović-Marković & Branko Živanović, 2019. "Fostering Green Entrepreneurship and Women’s Empowerment through Education and Banks’ Investments in Tourism: Evidence from Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-16, December.

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