Innovation and Sustainability in SMEs

Abstract

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the engines of economic growth, promote equitable development and create more opportunities for being innovative in providing sustainable solutions. They also play a crucial role in providing employment opportunities, aid industrialization in rural backward areas, reduce regional imbalances and assure equitable distribution of national income and wealth. But survival in the new global market calls not only for improved productivity but sustainability and growth through innovation on incessant basis. Business sustainability involves self-assessment to identify improvement opportunities, strengths and ideas for future organizational development. In India, though SME is an important contributor to economy, yet many face lot of difficulties and end winding up or becoming unsustainable. Several studies have shown that factors related to poor management, less innovative approaches, short short-termism are the causes of failure or closure. Hence, the core objective of this chapter is to explore the approaches which can lead to better understanding of sustainable replicas to enhance innovation and sustainability.