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The use of external support and the benefits of the adoption of resource efficiency practices: An empirical analysis of european SMEs

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  • Bodas-Freitas, Isabel-Maria
  • Corrocher, Nicoletta

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the use of external support for the adoption of resource efficiency practices and the extent and profitability of this adoption by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). We distinguish between direct financial support and indirect support in the form of advice and consulting services related to the adoption of resource efficiency practices. We use data from the 2013 FLASH EUROBAROMETER survey of a sample of European manufacturing SMEs. Our results show that the effects of the adoption of resource efficiency practices on production costs are higher among firms that receive external financial support for adoption, as well as among those firms that adopt a wide set of process reengineering measures for resource efficiency. However, external technical and business advice plays an important role in the extent of adoption of different resource efficiency measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Bodas-Freitas, Isabel-Maria & Corrocher, Nicoletta, 2019. "The use of external support and the benefits of the adoption of resource efficiency practices: An empirical analysis of european SMEs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 75-82.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:132:y:2019:i:c:p:75-82
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.05.019
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    2. Chatzistamoulou, Nikos, 2023. "Is digital transformation the Deus ex Machina towards sustainability transition of the European SMEs?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
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    4. David Aristei & Manuela Gallo, 2021. "The Role of External Support on the Implementation of Resource Efficiency Actions: Evidence from European Manufacturing Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, August.
    5. Paulius Šūmakaris & Renata Korsakienė & Deniss Ščeulovs, 2021. "Determinants of Energy Efficient Innovation: A Systematic Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-20, November.
    6. Garrido-Prada, Pablo & Lenihan, Helena & Doran, Justin & Rammer, Christian & Perez-Alaniz, Mauricio, 2021. "Driving the circular economy through public environmental and energy R&D: Evidence from SMEs in the European Union," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    7. Caporale, Guglielmo Maria & Donati, Cristiana & Spagnolo, Nicola, 2023. "Small and medium sized European firms and energy saving measures: The role of financing," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    8. Guglielmo Maria Caporale & Cristiana Donati & Nicola Spagnolo, 2022. "Small and Medium Sized European Firms and Energy Efficiency Measures: A Probit Analysis," CESifo Working Paper Series 10066, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Resource and energy efficiency; External support; SMEs;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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