Abstract
Sustainable development is influenced by the activities of both large businesses and small- and medium-sized businesses. The aim of this article is to identify the attitude of small businesses to sustainable development. The article presents the results of empirical research among managers of small businesses in the Czech Republic. A multi-criteria decision-making method (analytic hierarchy process) was used for the evaluation of relationship of these managers to sustainable development. A benefits, opportunities, costs and risks approach was applied for the structuring of the elements. The significance of the individual elements has been detected using Saaty’s method. Three alternatives were formulated about the benefits to be a business that is interested in sustainability development. It was identified that the alternative, ‘it is advantageous to be business interesting in sustainability development’ is the most preferred. On the other hand, it was also identified, that managers will be responsible for sustainability development and their attitude must bring them benefits. This article contributes to the fulfilment of the research gap in the field of research related to small businesses and their surroundings. Identified impacts can be used for practical creation of conditions which would further encourage small businesses to take a proactive approach to sustainability development.
Highlights
The mutual linkage between phenomena concerning ‘sustainable development’ forces organisations, businesses and individuals to carefully economise their activities and to consider the responsibility of their behaviour in the future
Identified impacts can be used for practical creation of conditions which would further encourage small businesses to take a proactive approach to sustainability development
The aim of the article was to explore the relationship between small business and sustainable development
Summary
The mutual linkage between phenomena concerning ‘sustainable development’ forces organisations, businesses and individuals to carefully economise their activities and to consider the responsibility (or the lack thereof) of their behaviour in the future. Such a trend is inevitable if we are to face the growing complexity of sustainability challenges. It is generally accepted that sustainable development calls for a convergence between the three pillars of economic development, social equity, and environmental protection. People concerned about sustainable development suggest that meeting the needs of the future depends on how well we balance these three pillars when making decisions today. Sustainable development has gained currency in the private sector in the form of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda
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