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Evaluation of Sustainability Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises in Southern Brazil

Author

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  • Fabricio Carlos Schmidt

    (Polytechnic School, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av Unisinos, 950, São Leopoldo/RS 93020-190, Brazil)

  • Roselaine Ruviaro Zanini

    (Immaculate Conception School (UFSM), Andradas Street, 1614. Downtown, Santa Maria/RS 97105-900, Brazil)

  • André Luis Korzenowski

    (Polytechnic School, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av Unisinos, 950, São Leopoldo/RS 93020-190, Brazil
    Business School, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av Dr. Nilo Peçanha, 1600, Porto Alegre/RS 91.330-002, Brazil)

  • Reno Schmidt Junior

    (Polytechnic School, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av Unisinos, 950, São Leopoldo/RS 93020-190, Brazil)

  • Karl Benchimol Xavier do Nascimento

    (Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Prefeito Rudi Franke Avenue, s/n, Arco Iris, Panambi/ RS 98280-000, Brazil)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) manufacturing, aiming to identify the main practices of sustainability, including the values and transparency, internal audience, environment, supplier relationships, customer and/or consumer relationships, and community relationships. In order to develop this research, a questionnaire was applied on the subject in question, through which the companies were classified as to their reality in relation to corporate social responsibility. Based on the analysis, it was observed that five of these companies obtained a score that indicates that the companies have already assimilated the associated concepts and are clear of the necessary commitments for a socially responsible action. However, given the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that there is a need to strengthen the actions to be taken with regard to corporate social responsibility, since no company has positioned itself in excellence. In addition, some suggestions for new research were identified and discussed in the analysis of the results.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabricio Carlos Schmidt & Roselaine Ruviaro Zanini & André Luis Korzenowski & Reno Schmidt Junior & Karl Benchimol Xavier do Nascimento, 2018. "Evaluation of Sustainability Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises in Southern Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:7:p:2460-:d:157897
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Cinzia Battistella & Maria Rosita Cagnina & Lucia Cicero & Nadia Preghenella, 2018. "Sustainable Business Models of SMEs: Challenges in Yacht Tourism Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-20, September.
    3. María del Mar Ramos-González & Mercedes Rubio-Andrés & Miguel Ángel Sastre-Castillo, 2022. "Effects of socially responsible human resource management (SR-HRM) on innovation and reputation in entrepreneurial SMEs," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 1205-1233, September.
    4. J. Alfredo Flores‐Hernández & Jesús J. Cambra‐Fierro & Rosario Vázquez‐Carrasco, 2020. "Sustainability, brand image, reputation and financial value: Manager perceptions in an emerging economy context," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 935-945, July.
    5. María Eugenia López-Pérez & Iguácel Melero-Polo & Rosario Vázquez-Carrasco & Jesús Cambra-Fierro, 2018. "Sustainability and Business Outcomes in the Context of SMEs: Comparing Family Firms vs. Non-Family Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-16, November.
    6. Adelaide Martins & Manuel Castelo Branco & Pedro Novo Melo & Carolina Machado, 2022. "Sustainability in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-26, May.
    7. Affan Ahmed Khan & Ming Zheng Wang & Sadaf Ehsan & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Maaida Hussain Hashmi, 2019. "Linking Sustainability-Oriented Marketing to Social Media and Web Atmospheric Cues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-28, May.
    8. Carlos de las Heras-Rosas & Juan Herrera, 2020. "Family Firms and Sustainability. A Longitudinal Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-27, July.
    9. Jifei Xie & Lulu Ma & Jiamin Li, 2023. "Servitization, Digitalization or Hand in Hand: A Study on the Sustainable Development Path of Manufacturing Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-17, July.
    10. Waqas Nawaz & Muammer Koç, 2019. "Exploring Organizational Sustainability: Themes, Functional Areas, and Best Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-36, August.
    11. Salvatore Ammirato & Alberto Michele Felicetti & Massimiliano Ferrara & Cinzia Raso & Antonio Violi, 2021. "Collaborative Organization Models for Sustainable Development in the Agri-Food Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-22, February.
    12. Jolanta Tarapata & Janusz Kostecki, 2025. "Responsible Activities of the Company/Brand and their Impact on Its Positive Image in the Opinion of Generation Z Consumers," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 406-423.
    13. Aleksandra Figurek & Alkis Thrassou, 2023. "An Integrated Framework for Sustainable Development in Agri-Food SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-22, June.

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