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Knowledge acquisition and environmental commitment in SMEs

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  • Marie‐Josée Roy
  • François Thérin

Abstract

This article presents the results of an empirical study that investigated the relationship between a firm's knowledge acquisition activities and its environmental commitment. The study focuses on both regular knowledge acquisition activities and those specific to environmental issues. Statistical analyses of the data obtained from a sample of 136 Canadian manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were conducted. Study results first revealed that regular knowledge acquisition activities and those specific to environmental issues are positively related to environmental commitment. Results also suggest that SMEs use different knowledge sources when acquiring environmental knowledge and that trade associations and suppliers play a significant role in this process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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  • Marie‐Josée Roy & François Thérin, 2008. "Knowledge acquisition and environmental commitment in SMEs," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(5), pages 249-259, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:15:y:2008:i:5:p:249-259
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.145
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    Cited by:

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    5. Nelly Oelze & Stefan Ulstrup Hoejmose & Andre Habisch & Andrew Millington, 2016. "Sustainable Development in Supply Chain Management: The Role of Organizational Learning for Policy Implementation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(4), pages 241-260, May.
    6. Amandine Pinget & Rachel Bocquet, 2017. "Spécificités des sources de connaissances pour l'innovation environnementale des PME," Post-Print hal-01699651, HAL.
    7. Ying Guo, 2023. "External Knowledge Acquisition and Green Innovation in Chinese Firms: Unveiling the Impact of Green Dynamic Capabilities," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, July.
    8. Georgeta-Madalina Meghisan-Toma & Silvia Puiu & Nicoleta Florea & Flaviu Meghisan & Roxana Badircea & Alina Manta, 2022. "Sustainable Transformation of Romanian Companies through Industry 4.0, Green Production and Environment Commitment," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 24(59), pages 1-46.
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    10. Silu Chen & Wanxing Jiang & Xin Li & Han Gao, 2021. "Effect of Employees’ Perceived Green HRM on Their Workplace Green Behaviors in Oil and Mining Industries: Based on Cognitive-Affective System Theory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-16, April.
    11. Johan Graafland & Hugo Smid, 2016. "Environmental Impacts of SMEs and the Effects of Formal Management Tools: Evidence from EU's Largest Survey," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(5), pages 297-307, September.
    12. Kumar Verma Bhupendra & Shirish Sangle, 2017. "What Drives Successful Implementation of Product Stewardship Strategy? The Role of Absorptive Capability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(3), pages 186-198, May.
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    14. Nguyen Phong Nguyen & Samuel Adomako, 2022. "International orientation and environmental performance in Vietnamese exporting small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2424-2436, July.
    15. Dongsoo Kim & Jongseon Lee & Nami Kim, 2023. "Engaging CSR in SMEs by exporting: The critical factors of CEOs and markets," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(4), pages 1953-1964, July.
    16. Muzammel Shah, 2019. "Green human resource management: Development of a valid measurement scale," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 771-785, July.
    17. Resti Eva Mayangsari & Lenny C. Nawangsari & Ahmad H. Sutawidjaya, 2021. "Employee Green Behavior on Generation X and Y Millennial," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 11(4), pages 38-48.
    18. Zhu, Qinghua & Geng, Yong & Sarkis, Joseph & Lai, Kee-hung, 2011. "Evaluating green supply chain management among Chinese manufacturers from the ecological modernization perspective," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(6), pages 808-821.
    19. Francesco Testa & Natalia Marzia Gusmerottia & Filippo Corsini & Emilio Passetti & Fabio Iraldo, 2016. "Factors Affecting Environmental Management by Small and Micro Firms: The Importance of Entrepreneurs’ Attitudes and Environmental Investment," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(6), pages 373-385, November.
    20. Fraj, Elena & Matute, Jorge & Melero, Iguácel, 2015. "Environmental strategies and organizational competitiveness in the hotel industry: The role of learning and innovation as determinants of environmental success," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 30-42.
    21. Diane Holt, 2012. "The Journey of a ‘Green’ Micro‐Enterprise – The Green Planet," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(2), pages 90-101, March.

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