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Small- and medium-sized enterprises and sustainable development: In the shadows of large lead firms in global value chains

Author

Listed:
  • Noemi Sinkovics

    (The University of Auckland)

  • Rudolf R. Sinkovics

    (The University of Auckland
    LUT University)

  • Jason Archie-Acheampong

    (Rush Group Limited)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the potential contribution of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and derive implications for policymakers based on the insights. Our findings indicate that despite their comparatively smaller size, SMEs can contribute significantly to the achievement of the SDGs. We conclude that both lead firms and policymakers need to take a more differentiated approach in their interactions with SMEs. Instead of universally regarding smaller firms as standard takers, lead firms and policymakers need to acknowledge that they can make a significant contribution to standard-setting and standard-adapting efforts. Consequently, SMEs need to be regarded as an important resource in multi-stakeholder initiatives regarding the SDGs.

Suggested Citation

  • Noemi Sinkovics & Rudolf R. Sinkovics & Jason Archie-Acheampong, 2021. "Small- and medium-sized enterprises and sustainable development: In the shadows of large lead firms in global value chains," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 4(1), pages 80-101, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:joibpo:v:4:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s42214-020-00089-z
    DOI: 10.1057/s42214-020-00089-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Dimitropoulos, Panagiotis & Koronios, Konstantinos & Sakka, Georgia, 2023. "International business sustainability and global value chains: Synthesis, framework and research agenda," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).
    2. Mattia Ubaldo & Steven McGuire & Vikrant Shirodkar, 2022. "Voluntary programs and emissions revisited: What is the effect of EU trade agreements with environmental provisions?," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(4), pages 467-489, December.
    3. Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro & Pananond, Pavida, 2023. "The rise of emerging market lead firms in global value chains," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
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    5. Rob Van Tulder & Suzana B. Rodrigues & Hafiz Mirza & Kathleen Sexsmith, 2021. "The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: Can multinational enterprises lead the Decade of Action?," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 4(1), pages 1-21, March.
    6. Fernhaber, Stephanie A. & Zou, Huan, 2022. "Advancing societal grand challenge research at the interface of entrepreneurship and international business: A review and research agenda," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(5).
    7. Noemi Sinkovics & Jihye Kim & Rudolf R. Sinkovics, 2022. "Business-Civil Society Collaborations in South Korea: A Multi-Stage Pattern Matching Study," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 62(4), pages 471-516, August.
    8. Matevž Rašković, 2022. "International business policymaking for a “wicked” world," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(3), pages 353-362, September.
    9. Ralph Sonntag & Gerard J. Lewis & Andrzej Raszkowski, 2022. "The Importance of Implementing SDGs by Small and Medium Size Enterprises: Evidence from Germany and Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-14, December.
    10. Lan Gao & Feng Yang, 2023. "Do resource slack and green organizational climate moderate the relationships between institutional pressures and corporate environmental responsibility practices of SMEs in China?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 13495-13520, November.

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