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Sustainability-Related Identities and the Institutional Environment: The Case of New Zealand Owner–Managers of Small- and Medium-Sized Hospitality Businesses

Author

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  • Eva Kiefhaber

    (Technische Universität Kaiserslautern)

  • Kathryn Pavlovich

    (The University of Waikato)

  • Katharina Spraul

    (Technische Universität Kaiserslautern)

Abstract

While it is well known that SME owner–managers’ sustainability values and attitudes impact their company’s sustainability activities, they often face profit-driven institutional orders. In a qualitative study, we investigate which identities are critical for their engagement in sustainability and how these identities interrelate with their institutional environment. We applied a qualitative design with narratives from 29 owner–managers of hospitality businesses who belong to a New Zealand-based sustainability network. Our study revealed no single overarching sustainability identity; instead, six identities could be identified as sustainability-related and be linked to different institutional orders. By analyzing the interplay between the identities and the institutional environment, we also found mechanisms on how SME owner–managers impact on their business’ sustainability. We revealed that an adequate institutional environment can foster the development of sustainability-related identities, which in turn can lead to cultural evolution towards more sustainability. By integrating identity theory with organizational institutionalism, we contribute to theoretical development and to further sustainability research at individual and institutional level.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva Kiefhaber & Kathryn Pavlovich & Katharina Spraul, 2020. "Sustainability-Related Identities and the Institutional Environment: The Case of New Zealand Owner–Managers of Small- and Medium-Sized Hospitality Businesses," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 37-51, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:163:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-018-3990-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-3990-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Smith, Daniel & Old, Kevin & Renwick, Alan & Westbrooke, Victoria, 2023. "The Characteristics, Challenges, and Resilience of Small Rural Farm-Support Agribusiness: A systematic literature review," Australasian Agribusiness Review, University of Melbourne, Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, vol. 31(1), April.
    2. Leon Guillén & Afcha Sergio & Chu Manuel, 2022. "Research on social responsibility of small and medium enterprises: a bibliometric analysis," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(3), pages 857-909, September.
    3. Jannika Kutzschbach & Parvina Tanikulova & Rainer Lueg, 2021. "The Role of Top Managers in Implementing Corporate Sustainability—A Systematic Literature Review on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, April.
    4. Ajay Khatter, 2023. "Challenges and Solutions for Environmental Sustainability in the Hospitality Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-10, July.
    5. 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.
    6. Simon Oldham, 2024. "Embedding Owner-Manager Values in the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Context: A Lockean Conceptualisation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 194(3), pages 561-581, October.

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