IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v10y2018i7p2460-d157897.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/7/2460/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/7/2460/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas Fischer & Angelika Sawczyn, 2013. "The relationship between corporate social performance and corporate financial performance and the role of innovation: evidence from German listed firms," Metrika: International Journal for Theoretical and Applied Statistics, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 27-52, May.
    2. Markus Milne & Rob Gray, 2013. "W(h)ither Ecology? The Triple Bottom Line, the Global Reporting Initiative, and Corporate Sustainability Reporting," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 118(1), pages 13-29, November.
    3. Jun H. Choi & Saerona Kim & Dong-Hoon Yang, 2018. "Small and Medium Enterprises and the Relation between Social Performance and Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence from Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Leemen Lee & Li‐Fei Chen, 2018. "Boosting employee retention through CSR: A configurational analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(5), pages 948-960, September.
    5. Muhammad Khalid Anser & Zhihe Zhang & Lubna Kanwal, 2018. "Moderating effect of innovation on corporate social responsibility and firm performance in realm of sustainable development," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(5), pages 799-806, September.
    6. Peter Madzík & Pavol Budaj & Anna Chocholáková, 2018. "Practical Experiences with the Application of Corporate Social Responsibility Principles in a Higher Education Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-25, May.
    7. Alamo Alexandre da Silva Batista & Antonio Carlos de Francisco, 2018. "Organizational Sustainability Practices: A Study of the Firms Listed by the Corporate Sustainability Index," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, January.
    8. Peter Lund-Thomsen & Adam Lindgreen & Joelle Vanhamme, 2016. "Industrial Clusters and Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Countries: What We Know, What We do not Know, and What We Need to Know," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 133(1), pages 9-24, January.
    9. Jamal Baz & Issam Laguir & Magalie Marais & Raffaele Staglianò, 2016. "Influence of National Institutions on the Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Food-processing Industry: Differences Between France and Morocco," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 134(1), pages 117-133, March.
    10. Hong-Min Chun & Sang-Yi Shin, 2018. "The Impact of Labor Union Influence on Corporate Social Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
    11. Josefina Fernández-Guadaño & Jesús H. Sarria-Pedroza, 2018. "Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Value Creation from a Stakeholder Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-10, June.
    12. Luis Roberto Arruda & Valdir De Jesus Lameira & Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves Quelhas & Fernando Neves Pereira, 2013. "Sustainability in the Brazilian Heavy Construction Industry: An Analysis of Organizational Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(10), pages 1-17, September.
    13. Christian M. Faller & Dodo zu Knyphausen-Aufseß, 2018. "Does Equity Ownership Matter for Corporate Social Responsibility? A Literature Review of Theories and Recent Empirical Findings," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 150(1), pages 15-40, June.
    14. Bryan W. Husted & David B. Allen, 2009. "Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility and Value Creation," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 49(6), pages 781-799, December.
    15. Rüdiger Hahn, 2013. "ISO 26000 and the Standardization of Strategic Management Processes for Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(7), pages 442-455, November.
    16. Elisabet Aguado & Adelheid Holl, 2018. "Differences of Corporate Environmental Responsibility in Small and Medium Enterprises: Spain and Norway," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-13, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Yáñez-Araque, Benito & Sánchez-Infante Hernández, Juan Pablo & Gutiérrez-Broncano, Santiago & Jiménez-Estévez, Pedro, 2021. "Corporate social responsibility in micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises: Multigroup analysis of family vs. nonfamily firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 581-592.
    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. Aleksandra Figurek & Alkis Thrassou, 2023. "An Integrated Framework for Sustainable Development in Agri-Food SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-22, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Paúl Sarango-Lalangui & José Álvarez-García & María De la Cruz Del Río-Rama, 2018. "Sustainable Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-15, June.
    2. José María Agudo-Valiente & Concepción Garcés-Ayerbe & Manuel Salvador-Figueras, 2017. "Corporate Social Responsibility Drivers and Barriers According to Managers’ Perception; Evidence from Spanish Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-24, October.
    3. Marek Potkány & Miloš Gejdoš & Marek Debnár, 2018. "Sustainable Innovation Approach for Wood Quality Evaluation in Green Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Margarida Rodrigues & Mário Franco, 2019. "The Corporate Sustainability Strategy in Organisations: A Systematic Review and Future Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-22, November.
    5. Thaís Vieira Nunhes & Enzo Viviani Garcia & Maximilian Espuny & Vitor Homem de Mello Santos & Raine Isaksson & Otávio José de Oliveira, 2021. "Where to Go with Corporate Sustainability? Opening Paths for Sustainable Businesses through the Collaboration between Universities, Governments, and Organizations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-31, January.
    6. Lucian-Ionel Cioca & Larisa Ivascu & Attila Turi & Alin Artene & George Artur Găman, 2019. "Sustainable Development Model for the Automotive Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-22, November.
    7. Wilmer Rivas-Asanza & Jennifer Celleri-Pacheco & Javier Andrade-Garda & Rafael García-Vázquez & Virginia Mato-Abad & Santiago Rodríguez-Yáñez & Sonia Suárez-Garaboa, 2018. "Environmental Sustainability in Information Technologies Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-25, December.
    8. Qiang Liu & Guoqing Ge & Chong Ning & Xiaobo Tao & Yongbo Sun, 2018. "Do Private Benefits of Control Affect Corporate Social Responsibility? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, September.
    9. S. Prakash Sethi & Terrence F. Martell & Mert Demir, 2017. "Enhancing the Role and Effectiveness of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reports: The Missing Element of Content Verification and Integrity Assurance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 144(1), pages 59-82, August.
    10. 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.
    11. Alexander Landau & Janina Rochell & Christian Klein & Bernhard Zwergel, 2020. "Integrated reporting of environmental, social, and governance and financial data: Does the market value integrated reports?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 1750-1763, May.
    12. Alexander Bergmann & Peter Posch, 2018. "Mandatory Sustainability Reporting in Germany: Does Size Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-20, October.
    13. Muhammad Khalid Anser & Zhihe Zhang & Lubna Kanwal, 2018. "Moderating effect of innovation on corporate social responsibility and firm performance in realm of sustainable development," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(5), pages 799-806, September.
    14. Fábio Albuquerque & Ana Isabel Dias & Alexandra Domingos, 2023. "The Students’ Intrinsic Motivation for Learning Non-Financial Information Matters from Their Self-Identification as Global Citizens," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.
    15. Bianca Alves Almeida Machado & Lívia Cristina Pinto Dias & Alberto Fonseca, 2021. "Transparency of materiality analysis in GRI‐based sustainability reports," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(2), pages 570-580, March.
    16. Rekha Rao-Nicholson & Htwe Htwe Thein & Yifan Zhong, 2024. "A thematic analysis of the links between multinational enterprises’ corporate social responsibility and the Sustainable Development Goals in Myanmar," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 7(2), pages 203-223, June.
    17. Merriam Haffar & Cory Searcy, 2018. "Target‐setting for ecological resilience: Are companies setting environmental sustainability targets in line with planetary thresholds?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(7), pages 1079-1092, November.
    18. Giovanni Lombardo & Andrea Mazzocchetti & Irene Rapallo & Nader Tayser & Silvano Cincotti, 2019. "Assessment of the Economic and Social Impact Using SROI: An Application to Sport Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-21, July.
    19. Wei Peng & Baogui Xin & Yekyung Kwon, 2019. "Optimal Strategies of Product Price, Quality, and Corporate Environmental Responsibility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-24, November.
    20. Ayako Ebata & Hayley MacGregor & Michael Loevinsohn & Khine Su Win & Alexander W. Tucker, 0. "Value Chain Governance, Power and Negative Externalities: What Influences Efforts to Control Pig Diseases in Myanmar?," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 0, pages 1-22.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:7:p:2460-:d:157897. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.