Exploring Environmental Sustainability Practices in Pakistani SMEs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31384/jisrmsse/2019.17.2.2Keywords:
Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, SMEsAbstract
In developed countries, most of the population recognizes that they are facing environmental and social threats which are mainly related to global warming. The problem associated with an ecological footprint, particularly water shortage, ecosystems, climate change, deforestation, and declining biodiversity, is considered a harmful threat to human life and environmental health around the world. The purpose of this study is to explore the environmental sustainability practices of Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Although there are three dimensions of sustainability, such as environmental, social, and economical. However, the focus of this study is on the environmental dimension of sustainability. Qualitative method was used to collect data. A sample of 30 manufacturing SMEs were chosen, and semi-structured interviews were conducted for a complete understanding of the research problem. The results revealed that most of the firms believed that they have measurable targets for reducing waste, energy, water, and carbon. As in Pakistan, there is an energy crisis, and most of the industries have shut down due to the energy crises. Another vital issue for the majority of industrial estates was the scarcity of water. To reduce air pollution, most of the medium firms were trying to protect the air from pollution, whereas small firms were less concerned about air pollution. Similarly, very few medium-size (Food, Steel, Pharmaceutical) firms recycle the wastewater and reuse it, While none of the small firms recycle the water. Most SMEs are utilizing power factor for energy saving due to severe energy shortage in the country. The study indicates a bleak outlook regarding the implementation of environmental sustainability practices in small firms.
Downloads
References
Abbasi, M. N. (2012). Sustainable practices in Pakistani manufacturing supply chains: Motives, sharing mechanism and performance outcome. Journal of Quality and Technology Management, 8(2), 51-74.
Ali, B., Alvi, M., & Hunjra, A. I. (2015). The impact of electricity crisis and prices on the consumption behavior of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Bulletin of Energy Economics, 3(1), 25-40.
Anthony, Y. (1998). Land Resources: Now and for the future (First ed.). Cambridge, United Kingdom: University Press, Cambridge.
Aragon-Correa, J., Hurtado-Torres, N., Sharma, S., & Garcia-Morales, V. (2008). Environmental strategy and performance in small firms: A resource-based perspective. Journal of Environmental Management, 88(1), 88-103. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.11.022
Ashraf, M., & Sheikh, A. A. (2017). Sustainable Groundwater Management in Balochistan. Islamabad: Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources.
Banarjee, S. B. (2002). Organizational strategies for sustainable development: Developing a research agenda for the new millennium. Australian Journal of Management, 27(1), 105-117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/031289620202701S11
Bansal, P. (2002). The corporate challenges of sustainable development. The Academy of Management Executive, 16(2), 122-131. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/ame.2002.7173572
Barlett, A. A. (2011). The meaning of sustainability. Teachers Clearinghouse for Science and Society Education Newsletter, 31(1), pp. 1-17.
Bros-Brouwers, H. (2010). Corporate sustainability and innovation in SMEs: Evidence of themes and activities in practice. Business Strategy and the Environment, 19(7), 417-735.
Collins, E., Lawrence, S., Pavlvich, K., & Ryan, C. (2006). Business networks and the uptake of sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 15(8-9), 729-740. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.06.020
Condon, L. (2004). Sustainability and small to medium-sized enterprises, how to engage them. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 20(1), 57-67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0814062600002305
Cormier, D., Gordon, I., & Marnan, M. (2004). Corporate environmental disclosure: contrasting management's perceptions with reality. Journal of Business Ethics, 49(2), 143-165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000015844.86206.b9
Creswell, J. (2014). Research Design; Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (4 ed.). USA: Sage Publication, Inc.
Crouch, M., & McKenzie, H. (2006, December). The logic of small samples in interview-based qualitative research. Social Science Information, 45(4), 483-499. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0539018406069584
Currie, D. (2005). Developing and applying study skills: Writing assignments, dissertations, and management reports. CIPD Publishing.
Daily Times. (2015, Jully 29). Daily Times Newspaper. Retrieved from http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/17-Mar-2015/drought-in-balochistan-affecting-livestock-and-agriculture
Darnall, N., Jolley, G., & Handfield, R. (2008). Environmental management systems and green supply chain management: complements for sustainability. Business Strategy and the Environment, 17(1), 30-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.557
Donaldson, T., & Preston, L. (1995). The Stakeholder theory of the corporation concept, evidence, and implication. Academy of Management Review, 20(1), 65-91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1995.9503271992
Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). EPA. Retrieved from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainability: http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.html
European Observatory. (2002). Observatory of European SMEs; European SMEs and social and environmental responsibility. European Commission.
Faber, N., & Jorna, R. (2005). The sustainability of "sustainability": A study into the conceptual foundations of the notion of sustainability. Journal of Environmental Assessment, Policy, and Management, 7(1), 1-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1142/S1464333205001955
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (n.d.). Biodiversity. RetrievedJanuary 01, 2016, from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: http://www.fao.org/biodiversity/components/plants/en/
Freeman, R. E., Jeffery, S. H., Andrew, C. W., Bidhan, L., & Simon, D. (2010). Stakeholder theory. Cambridge: Cambridge Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511815768
Genc, K. (2013). Natural environment as a strategic issue for firms: Theoretical perspectives. 9th International Strategic Management Conference. 99, pp. 143-153. Giresun: Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Gladwin, T., Kennely, J., & Krause, T. (1995). Shifting paradigms for sustainable development: Implications for management theory and research. Academy of Management Review, 20(4), 870-907. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1995.9512280024
Goodland, R., & Daly, H. (1996). Environmental sustainability: universal and non‐negotiable. Ecological Applications, 6(4), 1002-1017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2269583
Granek, F., & Hassanali, M. (2006). The Toronto Region Sustainability Program: insights on the adoption of pollution prevention practices by small to medium-sized manufacturers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Journal of Cleaner Production, 14(6-7), 572-579. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.07.008
Guneregin, M., Penbek, S., & Zaptcioglu, D. (2012). Exploring the problems and advantages of Turkish SMEs for sustainability. 8th International Strategic Management Conference. 58, pp. 244-251. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.09.998
Gupta, V., Ali, I., Saleh, T., Nayak, A., & Agarwal, S. (2012). Chemical treatment technologies for waste-water recycling-an overview. An International Journal to further the Chemical Sciences, 2(16), 6380-6388. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c2ra20340e
Harmon, A. H., & Gerald, B. L. (2007). Position of the American Dietetic Association: food and nutrition professionals can implement practices to conserve natural resources and support ecological sustainability. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(6), 1033-1043. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2007.04.018
Hillary, R. (2004). Environmental management system and the smaller enterprise. Journal of Cleaner Production, 12(6), 561-569. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2003.08.006
International Institute for Sustainable Development. (1992). Business strategies for sustainable development. Retrieved Jun 2014, from iisd: http://www.iisd.org/business/pdf/business_strategy.pdf
Jayeola, O. (2015). The impact of environmental sustainability practice on the financial performance of SMEs: A study of some selected SMEs in Sussex. International Journal of Business Management and Economic Research, 6(4), 214-230.
Kampa, M., & Castanas, E. (2008). Environmental pollution. 4th International Workshop on Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Pollution (With Emphasis on Trace Elements), 151, pp. 362-367. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2007.06.012
Kerr, I. (2006). Leadership strategies for sustainable SME operation. Business Strategy and the Environment, 16(1), 30-39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.451
Khan, H. U. (2014, January-June). Enterpreneurship. SME Observer, 3(3 & 4), pp. 5-8.
Kurtulus, Y. G. (2013). Natural environment as a strategic issue for firm: Theoretical perspectives. 9th Internation Strategic Management Conference. 99, pp. 143-153. Turkey: Elsevier Ltd. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.480
Labuschagne, C., Alan, C. B., & Ron, P. (2005). Assessing the sustainability performances of industries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 13(4), 373-385. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2003.10.007
Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://lasbelachamber.com/
Lasbela Industrial Estates Development Authority. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lieda.gov.pk/
Lawrence, S., Collins, E., Pavlovich, K., & Arunachalam, M. (2006). Sustainability practices of SMEs: the case of NZ. Business Strategy and the Environment, 15(4), 242-257. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.533
Li, J.S, Chen, B, Chen, G.Q, Wei, W.D, & Wang, X. (2017). Tracking mercury emission flows in the global supply chains: a multi-regional. Journal of cleaner production, 140, 1470-1492. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.10.002
Lin, N. (2002). Social capital: A theory of social structure and action. New York: Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511815447
Marri, H. B., Gunasekaran, A., & Sohag, R. A. (2007). Implementation of advanced manufacturing technology in Pakistani small and medium enterprises: an empirical analysis. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 20(6), 726-739. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/17410390710830745
Masurel, E. (2007). Why SMEs invest in environmental measures: sustainability evidence from small and medium-sized printing firms. Business Strategy and the Environment, 16, 190-201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.478
Ministry of Environment. (2005). National Environmental Policy. Retrieved from Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Environment: http://environment.gov.pk/NEP/Policy.pdf
Mitchell, R., Agle, B. R., & Wood, D. (1997). "Toward a theory of stakeholder identification and salience: Defining the principle of who and what really counts.". Academic Management Review, 22(4), 853-886. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1997.9711022105
Moore, S., & Manring, S. (2009). Strategy development in small and medium-sized enterprises for sustainability and increased value creation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 17(2), 276-282. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2008.06.004
Nulkar, G. (2014). SMEs and environmental performance – A framework for green. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 133, 130-140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.04.177
Pakistan Economic Survey. (2019). Annual Report 2018-2019. Energy. Retrieved from http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapters_19/14-Energy.pdf
Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Oaks: Sage.
Raziq, A., & Wiesner, R. (2016). High performance management practices and sustainability of SMEs. Evidence from manufacturing and services-based industries in Pakistan. Journal of Management Sciences, 3(2), 83-107. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20547/jms.2014.1603201
Rehman, S. A., Cai, Y., Mirjat, N. H., Walasai, G. D., Shah, I. A., & Ali, S. (2017). The Future of Sustainable Energy Production in Pakistan: A System Dynamics-Based Approach forEstimating Hubbert Peaks. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 1-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en10111858
Roscoe, S., Subramanian, N., Jabbour, C. J., & Chong, T. (2019). Green human resource management and the enablers of green. Business Strategy and the Environment. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2277
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students (5thed.). Edinburgh: Pearson.
Seidel, M., Seidel, R., Tedford, D., Cross, R., Wait, L., & Hammerie, E. (2009). Overcoming barriers to implementing environmentally benign manufacturing practices: Strategic tools for SMEs. Environmental Quality Management, 18(3), 37-55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.20214
SLMP. (2019, October 5). Barriers to Sustainable Land Management in Pakistan. Retrieved from Sustainable Land Management Project:
https://www.slmp.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/barriers-to-slm-in-pakistan-eng.pdf
Spence, L. J., Agyemang, G., & Rinaldi, L. (2012). Environmental aspects of sustainability: SMEs and the role of the accountants. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. London: Certified Accountants Educational Trust.
TerrAfrica. (2005). Land Resources. Retrieved from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:http://www.fao.org/nr/land/sustainable-land-management/en/
The World Bank. (2019, March 29). World Bank Statement on Balochistan Integrated Water Resource Management and Development Project. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/03/28/world-bank-statement-on-balochistan-integrated-water-resource-management-and-development-project
Ullmann, A. (1985). Data in search of a theory: A critical examination of the relationship among social performance, social disclosure, and economic performance. Academy of Management Review, 10(3), 540-577. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/258135
UNDP. (2019, October 5). Sustainable Land Management Programme to Combat Desertification in Pakistan (SLM) - Phase II. Retrieved from UNDP Pakistan: https://www.pk.undp.org/content/pakistan/en/home/projects/SLMP-II.html
Vaioa, A. D., Varrialeb, L., & Alvi, F. (2018). Key performance indicators for developing environmentally sustainable and energy efficient ports: Evidence from Italy. Energy Policy, 122, 229–240. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.07.046
Westerholm, P., Ahlmark, A., Maasing, R., & Segelber, I. (1986). Silicosis and risk of lung cancer or lung tuberculosis: a cohort study. Environ. Res, 41(1), 339-350. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(86)80195-5
Wong, M., Wu, S., Deng, W., Yu, X., Luo, Q., Leung, A., et al. (2007). Export of toxic chemicals – A review of the case of uncontrolled electronic-waste recycling. Environmental Pollution, 149(2), 131-140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2007.01.044
World Wildlife Fund. (2008). Living planet report. World Wildlife Fund.
Xu, K., Bin, L., & Xu, X. (2019). Assessment of water resources sustainability in mainland China in terms of water intensity and efficiency. Environmental Management, 63(3), 309-321. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-018-1098-2
Yuan, Y. (2013). Adding environmental sustainability to the management of event tourism. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 7(2), 175-183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCTHR-04-2013-0024
Zeliger, H. (2011). Human toxicology of chemical mixtures (2nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Elsevier. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4377-3463-8.00003-5
Zhang, G. (2008). Analysis of the “polluter pays principle” in China. Economic Tribune., 13, 123-124.
Zhou, S. (2009). External motivating factors for greening small and medium-sized enterprises in china. The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics, 1-47
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2019 Author
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright: The Authors
