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Sustainability-driven entrepreneurship and high-growth SME: How to combine Davids’ and Goliaths’ worlds?

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  • Céline Bérard

    (COACTIS - COnception de l'ACTIon en Situation - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne)

  • Séverine Saleilles

    (SAF - Laboratoire de Sciences Actuarielle et Financière - UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 - Université de Lyon)

Abstract

This paper aims to explore how sustainability-driven SMEs experiencing high growth can succeed in combining the best of the Davids' and Goliaths' worlds. An in-depth case study was conducted within a French SME, a pioneer in organic vegetable distribution that has succeeded in evolving from an ‘idealistic David' to a ‘high-growth David'. Research findings reveal two sets of key actions successfully carried out by this firm: the development of a hybrid organisation through a staff representing the skills of both Davids' and Goliaths' worlds, and of a learning organisation through exploration and exploitation. They also illustrate some challenges facing most high-growth SMEs and identify some specific tensions that can arise due to the coexistence of these two worlds, in particular value diversity within the top management team.

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  • Céline Bérard & Séverine Saleilles, 2016. "Sustainability-driven entrepreneurship and high-growth SME: How to combine Davids’ and Goliaths’ worlds?," Post-Print halshs-01459141, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01459141
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-01459141
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