Environmental sustainability orientation and financial resources of small manufacturing firms in the Philippines

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to challenge the conventional view that resources determine the extent of the environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) of small firms in a developing Southeast Asian country context. First, this study attempts to develop a measurement model of ESO of small firms in the manufacturing sector in the Philippines. Second, the study explores the impact of the financial resources on the ESO of firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses survey data from 166 small manufacturing firms in three Philippine cities. Multiple regression modelling is used to estimate the relationships between firm resources and ESO.FindingsThe results indicate that ESO is a multi‐dimensional construct with three facets – i.e. awareness of, actions for, and appreciation of environmental sustainability. The empirical evidence does not support the conventional firm resources‐ESO proposition.Research limitations/implicationsA proactive ESO is not necessarily beyond the reach of resource‐constrained small firms. The generalisability of the findings, however, is limited to small manufacturing firms in The Philippines.Practical implicationsThis study informs owner‐managers of small firms that a proactive ESO does not largely depend on financial resources. Government policies and programs to encourage small firms to become sustainable should focus not just on financial forms of assistance.Originality/valueTo date, this is the only Philippines‐based study and one of the scarce small firm‐focused studies that examine the proposition that small firms are unable to pursue a proactive ESO due to resource constraints.

Diseño y validación de un test de evaluación del potencial en emprendimiento social

“…La sustentabilidad se define como cubrir las necesidades del presente sin comprometer la habilidad de las nuevas generaciones para cubrir sus propias necesidades (Roxas, 2012). Tener un comportamiento sustentable consiste en poder desarrollar soluciones a los retos de hoy tomando en cuenta que no afecten a las personas en el futuro (Kuckertz, y Wagner, 2010).…”

The influence of cooperative relations of small businesses on environmental protection intensity

“…A popular view is that business firms should use a triple bottom line approach (Elkington ) in the conduct of business (Luken & Stares ; Kleine & Hauff ) to become sustainable in the long term. According to this approach, firms need to incorporate not only economic gains but also environmental dimensions in their overall strategic agenda (Zwetsloot & van Marrewijk ; Masurel ; Roxas & Chadee ).…”

Emerging Environmental Sustainability Practices In Msme's

“…37.5 percent of the analyzed studies indicate the first area containing practices that use education, and attitudes management (Hardeep, Sanjay , Swati, & Tarun, 2015) (Roxas & Chadee , 2012) (Howarth & Fredericks , 2012)(Hernandez-Pardo, Bhamra, & Bahmra, 2013) (Stewart & Gapp , 2012) (Nagypál, 2013), the second area from 50% of the studies contain management programs including certifications, management models and adoption of technology for management, in pursuit of the careful management of the environment (Massa, Farneti, & Scappini , 2015) (Windolph, Schaltegger, & Herzig, 2014) (Omri , 2015) (Nejati, Amran, Ahmad , & , 2014) (Halme & Korpela , 2013) (Hatak , Floh, & Zauner , 2015) (Uhlaner, LBerent-Braun, Jeurissen, & de Wit , 2011) (Hofmann, Theyel, & Wood, 2012), and finally the specific practices in MSMEs (Bos-Brouwers, 2009) (Chukwuemeka, Nkamnebe , & Amobi , 2013) that they include waste separation systems, energy saving policies, reducing resources in production and packaging, emissions control, reduction of the features offered in products and biodiverse use friendly alternatives.…”

“…Procedence (Hardeep, Sanjay , Swati, & Tarun, 2015) India (Massa, Farneti, & Scappini , 2015) Italy (Roxas & Chadee , 2012) Philippines (Windolph, Schaltegger, & Herzig, 2014) Germany (Omri , 2015) Tunisia (Nejati, Amran, Ahmad , & , 2014) Malaysia (Howarth & Fredericks , 2012) United Kingdom (Hernandez-Pardo, Bhamra, & Bahmra, 2013) Colombia (Halme & Korpela , 2013) Finland (Stewart & Gapp , 2012) Australia (Hatak , Floh, & Zauner , 2015) Austria (Bos-Brouwers, 2009) Germany (Nagypál, 2013) Hungary (Uhlaner, LBerent-Braun, Jeurissen, & de Wit , 2011) Netherlands (Hofmann, Theyel, & Wood, 2012) United States (Chukwuemeka, Nkamnebe , & Amobi , 2013) Nigeria…”

“…Emerging practices (Hardeep, Sanjay , Swati, & Tarun, 2015) Educational development programs for community social responsibility (Massa, Farneti, & Scappini , 2015) Sustainable management control (Roxas & Chadee , 2012) Control of attitudes for managing sustainability strategies (Windolph, Schaltegger, & Herzig, 2014) Certifications management by network for the management of sustainable development (Omri , 2015) Innovation and environmental performance (Nejati, Amran, Ahmad , & , 2014) The influence of the stakeholders and environmental responsibility (Howarth & Fredericks , 2012) Change managerial attitudes and empowerment for change sustainability (Hernandez-Pardo, Bhamra, & Bahmra, 2013) Changing perceptions towards sustainable products or services (Halme & Korpela , 2013) Analysis of innovation for sustainable development (Stewart & Gapp , 2012) Inclusion of people their perspectives and attitudes in the sustainable management (Hatak , Floh, & Zauner , 2015) Comprehensive change management models for sustainable organizations (Bos-Brouwers, 2009) Waste separation systems, energy saving policies, reducing resources in production and packaging, emissions control, reduction of the features offered in products and biodiverse use friendly alternatives (Nagypál, 2013) Study of social expectations for companies (Uhlaner, LBerent-Braun, Jeurissen, & de Wit , 2011) Factors influencing environmental management practices: family, tangibility, financial resources, perceived profitability (Hofmann, Theyel, & Wood, 2012) Adoption of computer technology for the manufacture of products, long-term partnerships for environmental management (Chukwuemeka, Nkamnebe , & Amobi , 2013) Respect for public policy…”