Do Entrepreneurial SMEs Perform Better Because They are More Responsible?

Abstract

Many scholars have investigated the direct impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on performance, but this direct association seems both spurious and ambiguous because many parameters may have an indirect influence on this relationship. The present study thus considers sustainable practices-environmental practices, social practices in the workplace (SPW), and social practices in the community (SPC)-as three probable mediators in the relationship between EO and performance, which is considered in terms of its financial and non-financial dimensions. We seek to show to what extent small-and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) sustainable practices are useful assets, which are supported by EO, to improve performance. Using a structural equation modeling approach, data collected from 406 French SMEs were tested against the model. Our findings reveal that EO has a positive impact on the implementation of sustainable practices and that SPW partially mediate the link between EO and performance. Taken together, these findings suggest that EO plays a role in indirectly promoting performance by enhancing certain human resource management practices.

Linking owner–managers' personal sustainability behaviors and corporate practices in SMEs: The moderating roles of perceived advantages and environmental hostility

“…Because the implementation of corporate sustainability in small businesses often occurs informally and is not necessarily reflected in explicit management systems (Perrini et al, ; Russo & Tencati, ), indicators were selected to be applicable to all respondents regardless of whether they deliberately pursued CS issues. Moreover, in accordance with the European Commission () and previous academic papers (e.g., Baumann‐Pauly et al, ; Courrent, Chassé, & Omri, ), social practices were distinguished based on the external (community practices) and internal (workplace practices) stakeholders concerned.…”

“…As some researchers have noted, the spread of sustainability messages in society has contributed to more sustainable practices (Campbell, ; Carroll & Shabana, ; Glavas & Kelley, ; Holt & Barkemeyer, ; Revell et al, ) in both personal and professional life. However, the public debate on sustainability mainly focuses on the environmental aspects and often ignores social issues (Courrent et al, ). Our findings reveal a need for a more balanced treatment of all sustainability dimensions in sensitization campaigns.…”

How Does Entrepreneurial and International Orientation Influence SMEs' Commitment to Sustainable Development? Empirical Evidence from Spain and Mexico

“…Furthermore, data are confined to companies located in two different but particular national contexts (Spain and Mexico). Although our results have been partially confirmed in other countries such as France (Courrent et al ., ), the extent to which they can be generalised to other geographical contexts and institutional settings remains questionable.…”

Entrepreneurial orientation and engagement of Pakistani small and medium enterprises in sustainable development practices: Mediating role of knowledge management

“…Numerous studies confirmed that SMEs are powerful source of improving standards of living, employment rate, and innovations (Ayuso & Navarrete-Báez, 2018;Courrent, Chassé, & Omri, 2016;Metaxiotis, 2009;Mutuala & Brakel, 2006;Ongori & Migrio, 2010;Scupola, 2009). SMEs had to gain optimal benefits from human capital and technologies in order to get strength in knowledge economy.…”