Abstract
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as larger enterprises, generate economic, social, and environmental impacts on their environment. However, in the case of these types of enterprises, the accumulation of these impacts is very significant in the immediate surroundings where they offer their products and services. This discussion is particularly relevant in Ecuador, where 99% of all enterprises are SMEs. The objective of this research is to find out if small and medium-sized enterprises in this country are involved in the adoption of sustainable practices as well as see if there are significant differences in adoption based on size, sector, and age. The methodology used is the performance of a descriptive analysis and regression of the data obtained through a structured questionnaire (indicators of the Ethos Institute of Brazil). Previously, the reliability of the questionnaire was validated through an exploratory factor analysis. The target population consists of 9843 enterprises, obtaining a sample size of 188 valid surveys, which implies a response rate of 2%, representing a sampling error of ±7.08%. The results obtained enabled us to perform a sustainability diagnosis of SMEs in Ecuador, identifying the strengths and weaknesses. The managers have a positive and favourable attitude towards sustainability. The practices considered show a medium-high implementation level of 79.71% in economic sustainability, 82.28% in social sustainability, and 78.14% in environmental sustainability in the enterprises considered in the sample. Although these percentages are significant, there is plenty of scope for improvement.
Highlights
Concern for and criticism about environmental degradation and social injustice are not new because they involve a large proportion of business activity [1]
Descriptive analysis enables us to observe that economic sustainability practices show a significant implementation level in the companies of the sample in general terms of 79.71%
The number of companies that have implemented the practices in this case is very high; more than 85% of the companies comply with clear ethical criteria, which allows them to convey an image of a responsible and reliable company (82.9%) (Table 2)
Summary
Concern for and criticism about environmental degradation and social injustice are not new because they involve a large proportion of business activity [1]. Since business activities have been considered one of the main causes of environmental degradation, it has become important to analyse the role played by employers and their organizations in the sustainability of territories [2,3,4,5]. The traditional understanding of value creation in terms of economic gains has expanded to include non-economic gains [6]. Following this line, a new discipline called “sustainable business initiative” has been developed that seeks to link the effort of entrepreneurship to sustainability management [7]. There is no doubt that they have begun to pay more attention to community growth, human rights, and labour force conditions [8,9], and a change towards sustainability has emerged
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
