SMEs and Sustainable Practices: Identifying Key Factors from Spanish Evidence
Authors/Creators
Description
Understanding the complex process of adopting sustainable practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is a challenging but necessary task, given the prevalence of these companies and the institutional pressure to move towards sustainability. Using a representative database of Spanish SMEs, we aim to show which factors help SMEs to embrace sustainability. The results show that organizational agility, internationalization, the academic background of the manager and size all exert a positive effect on sustainable practices. Our study provides meaningful insights to help SMEs overcome some of their deficiencies in sustainability commitment and the adoption of sustainable practices, which can be extended to other countries and broader areas such the European Union.
Files
clemente-almendros-et-al-2025-smes-and-sustainable-practices-identifying-key-factors-from-spanish-evidence.pdf
Additional details
Dates
- Accepted
-
2025/2025
References
- Abadie A., Imbens G. W. (2008). Estimation of the conditional variance in paired experiments. Annales d'Economie et de Statistique, (91–92), 175–187. Crossref Google Scholar Abadie A., Imbens G. W. (2012). A martingale representation for matching estimators. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 107(498), 833–843. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Abdel-Maksoud A., Jabbour M., Abdel-Kader M. (2021). Stakeholder pressure, eco-control systems, and firms' performance: Empirical evidence from UK manufacturers. Accounting Forum, 45(1), 30–57. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar AECA. (1988). La Competitividad De La Empresa: Concepto, características y factores determinantes. Principios De Organización De Empresas. Asociación Española de Contabilidad y Administración de Empresas. Google Scholar Aguilera-Caracuel J., Hurtado-Torres N. E., Aragón-Correa J. A. (2012). Does international experience help firms to be green? A knowledge-based view of how international experience and organisational learning influence proactive environmental strategies. International Business Review, 21(5), 847–861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2011.09.009 Google Scholar Aguinis H., Glavas A. (2012). What we know and don't know about corporate social responsibility: A review and research agenda. Journal of Management, 38(4), 932–968. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Almeida H., Campello M., Laranjeira B., Weisbenner S. (2009). Corporate debt maturity and the real effects of the 2007 credit crisis (No. w14990). National Bureau of Economic Research. http://doi.org/10.1561/104.00000001 Crossref Google Scholar Al-Omoush K. S., Simón-Moya V., Sendra-García J. (2020). The impact of social capital and collaborative knowledge creation on e-business proactiveness and organizational agility in responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 5(4), 279–288. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Ammenberg J., Hjelm O. (2003). Tracing business and environmental effects of environmental management systems—A study of networking small and medium-sized enterprises using a joint environmental management system. Business Strategy and the Environment, 12(3), 163–174. Crossref Google Scholar Ampenberger M., Schmid T., Achleitner A., Kasere C. (2013). Capital structure decisions in family firms: Empirical evidence from a bank-based economy. Review of Managerial Science, 7(3), 247–275. http://hdl.handle.net/10419/48400 Crossref Google Scholar Andries P., Stephan U. (2019). Environmental innovation and firm performance: How firm size and motives matter. Sustainability, 11(13), 3585. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Aragón-Correa J. A. (1998). Strategic proactivity and firm approach to the natural environment. Academy of Management Journal, 41(5), 556–567. https://doi.org/10.2307/256942 Google Scholar Aragón-Correa J. A., Hurtado-Torres N., Sharma S., García-Morales V. J. (2008). Environmental strategy and performance in small firms: A resource-based perspective. Journal of Environmental Management, 86(1), 88–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.11.022 Google Scholar Armstrong J. S., Overton T. S. (1977). Estimating nonresponse bias in mail surveys. Journal of Marketing Research, 14(3), 396–402. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224377701400320 Google Scholar Arora S. K., Li Y., Youtie J., Shapira P. (2020). Measuring dynamic capabilities in new ventures: Exploring strategic change in US green goods manufacturing using website data. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 45(5), 1451–1480. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-019-09751-y Google Scholar Arsawan I. W. E., De Hariyanti N. K., Atmaja I. M. A. D. S., Suhartanto D., Koval V. (2022). Developing organizational agility in SMEs: An investigation of innovation's roles and strategic flexibility. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(3), 149. Crossref Google Scholar Attig N., Boubakri N., El Ghoul S., Guedhami O. (2016). Firm internationalization and corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 134, 171–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2410-6 Google Scholar Ayuso S., Navarrete-Báez F. E. (2018). How does entrepreneurial and international orientation influence SMEs' commitment to sustainable development? Empirical evidence from Spain and Mexico. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 25(1), 80–94. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Ayuso S., Roca M., Arevalo J. A., Aravind D. (2016). What determines principle-based standards implementation? Reporting on global compact adoption in Spanish firms. Journal of Business Ethics, 133, 553–565. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Bansal P. (2005). Evolving sustainably: A longitudinal study of corporate sustainable development. Strategic Management Journal, 26(3), 197–218. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Bansal P., Roth K. (2000). Why companies go green: A model of ecological responsiveness. Academy of Management Journal, 43(4), 717–736. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Bantel K. A., Jackson S. E. (1989). Top management and innovations in banking: Does the composition of the top team make a difference? Strategic Management Journal, 10(1), 107–124. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Barney J. B. (1991). Firm resources and competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17, 99–120. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Baškarada S., Koronios A. (2018). Strategies for maximizing organizational absorptive capacity. Industrial and Commercial Training, 50(2), 95–100. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Ben-Amar W., Francoeur C., Hafsi T., Labelle R. (2013). What makes better boards? A closer look at diversity and ownership. British Journal of Management, 24(1), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2011.00789.x Google Scholar Bi Z., Liu Y., Krider J., Buckland J., Whiteman A., Beachy D., Smith J. (2018). Real-time force monitoring of smart grippers for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Journal of Industrial Information Integration, 11, 19–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jii.2018.02.004 Google Scholar Biondi V., Frey M., Iraldo F. (2000). Environmental management systems and SMEs: Motivations, opportunities and barriers related to EMAS and ISO 14001 implementation. Greener Management International, (29), 55–69. Crossref Google Scholar Biscotti A. M., D'Amico E., Monge F. (2018). Do environmental management systems affect the knowledge management process? The impact on the learning evolution and the relevance of organisational context. Journal of Knowledge Management, 22(3), 603–620. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Blomstermo A., Eriksson K., Sharma D. D. (2004). Domestic activity and knowledge development in the internationalization process of firms. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 2, 239–258. Crossref Google Scholar Bodlaj M., Čater B. (2019). The impact of environmental turbulence on the perceived importance of innovation and innovativeness in SMEs. Journal of Small Business Management, 57, 417–435. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Boiral O., Baron C., Gunnlaugson O. (2014). Environmental leadership and consciousness development: A case study among Canadian SMEs. Journal of Business Ethics, 123, 363–383. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Bowen F. E. (2002). Does size matter? Organizational slack and visibility as alternative explanations for environmental responsiveness. Business & Society, 41(1), 118–124. https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650302041001007 Google Scholar Brammer S., Hoejmose S., Marchant K. (2012). Environmental management in SME s in the UK: Practices, pressures and perceived benefits. Business Strategy and the Environment, 21(7), 423–434. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.717 Google Scholar Brammer S., Millington A. (2006). Firm size, organizational visibility and corporate philanthropy: An empirical analysis. Business Ethics: A European Review, 15(1), 6–18. Crossref Google Scholar Brammer S., Pavelin S., Porter L. A. (2006). Corporate social performance and geographical diversification. Journal of Business Research, 59(9), 1025–1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2006.04.001 Google Scholar Bruneel J., Yli-Renko H., Clarysse B. (2010). Learning from experience and learning from others: How congenital and interorganizational learning substitute for experiential learning in young firm internationalization. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 4(2), 164–182. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Burns J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row. Google Scholar Cantele S., Zardini A. (2020). What drives small and medium enterprises towards sustainability? Role of interactions between pressures, barriers, and benefits. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(1), 126–136. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1778 Google Scholar Cera G., Khan K. A., Bláhová A., Belas J. Jr. (2022). Do owner-manager demographics in SMEs matter for corporate social responsibility? Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, 17(2), 511–531. https://doi.org/10.24136/eq.2022.018 Google Scholar Chassé S., Courrent J. M. (2018). Linking owner–managers' personal sustainability behaviors and corporate practices in SMEs: The moderating roles of perceived advantages and environmental hostility. Business Ethics: A European Review, 27(2), 127–143. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Chen X., Siau K. (2012). Effect of business intelligence and IT infrastructure flexibility on organizational agility [Conference session]. International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2012 (pp. 14–15). Google Scholar Chen Y. S., Chang C. H. (2013). The determinants of green product development performance: Green dynamic capabilities, green transformational leadership, and green creativity. Journal of Business Ethics, 116, 107–119. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Chen Y. S., Lai S. B., Wen C. T. (2006). The influence of green innovation performance on corporate advantage in Taiwan. Journal of Business Ethics, 67, 331–339. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Chenhall R. H., Langfield-Smith K. (2007). Multiple perspectives of performance measures. European Management Journal, 25(4), 266–282. Crossref Google Scholar Christensen C. M. (2013). The innovator's dilemma: When new technologies cause great firms to fail. Harvard Business Review Press. Google Scholar Clemente-Almendros J. A., González-Cruz T., Camisón-Haba S. (2025). Does innovation practices enhance the impact of environmental criteria adoption over entrepreneurial SMEs' performance? International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 21, 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-024-01030-z Google Scholar Clemens B. (2006). Economic incentives and small firms: Does it pay to be green? Journal of Business Research, 59(4), 492–500. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar COGITI. (2021). Desarrollo Sostenible de la PYME en España. https://economistas.es/Contenido/Consejo/Estudios%20y%20trabajos/Estudio%20Desarrollo%20sostenible%20de%20la%20pyme%20en%20Espa%C3%B1a.pdf Google Scholar Coppa M., Sriramesh K. (2013). Corporate social responsibility among SMEs in Italy. Public Relations Review, 39(1), 30–39. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Côté R., Booth A., Louis B. (2006). Eco-efficiency and SMEs in Nova Scotia, Canada. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14(6–7), 542–550. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Danneels E. (2002). The dynamics of product innovation and firm competences. Strategic Management Journal, 23(12), 1095–1121. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Darnall N., Henriques I., Sadorsky P. (2010). Adopting proactive environmental strategy: The influence of stakeholders and firm size. Journal of Management Studies, 47(6), 1072–1094. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Dey P. K., Petridis N. E., Petridis K., Malesios C., Nixon J. D., Ghosh S. K. (2018). Environmental management and corporate social responsibility practices of small and medium-sized enterprises. Journal of Cleaner Production, 195, 687–702. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar DGPYME. (2023). Cifras PYME. Datos Mayo 2023. https://ipyme.org/Publicaciones/Cifras%20PYME/CifrasPYME-mayo2023.pdf Google Scholar Díaz-Pelaez A., Chura-Quispe G., Clemente-Almendros J. A., Velarde-Molina J. F. (2024). Analysing the influence of digital strategy and innovation on MSMEs' performance in emerging countries. Creativity and Innovation Management. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12642 Google Scholar Dibrell C., Davis P. S., Craig J. (2008). Fueling innovation through information technology in SMEs. Journal of Small Business Management, 46(2), 203–218. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Dostatni E., Diakun J., Jurga J., Kowalski Ł. (2021). Ecological activities of manufacturing companies in the use and recycling of products [Conference session]. Advanced Manufacturing Processes II: Selected Papers from the 2nd Grabchenko's International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing Processes (InterPartner-2020), September 8–11, 2020, Odessa, Ukraine (pp. 33–41). Springer. Crossref Google Scholar Dunlop-Hinkler D., Parente R., Marion T. J., Friar J. H. (2011). The role of technology agility on business processes and organizational agilities [Conference session]. First International Technology Management Conference (pp. 67–75). IEEE. Crossref Google Scholar Duréndez A., Ruíz-Palomo D., García-Pérez-de-Lema D., Diéguez-Soto J. (2016). Management control systems and performance in small and medium family firms. European Journal of Family Business, 6(1), 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejfb.2016.05.001 Google Scholar Eikelenboom M., de Jong G. (2019). The impact of dynamic capabilities on the sustainability performance of SMEs. Journal of Cleaner Production, 235, 1360–1370. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar European Commission. (2020). SME strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe. https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/communication-sme-strategy-march-2020_en.pdf Google Scholar European Commission. (2021). SMEs, green markets and resource efficiency. Flash Eurobarometer 498. https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/api/deliverable/download/file?deliverableId=81023 Google Scholar European Commission. (2022). Annual report on European SMEs 2021/22. Publications Office of the European Union. Google Scholar Evers N. (2011). Why do new ventures internationalise? A review of the literature of factors that influence new venture internationalisation. Irish Journal of Management, 30(2), 27–46. Google Scholar Falahat M., Ramayah T., Soto-Acosta P., Lee Y. Y. (2020). SMEs internationalization: The role of product innovation, market intelligence, pricing and marketing communication capabilities as drivers of SMEs' international performance. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 152, 119908. https://doi.org10.1016/j.techfore.2020.119908 Crossref Google Scholar Fitjar R. D. (2011). Little big firms? Corporate social responsibility in small businesses that do not compete against big ones. Business Ethics: A European Review, 20(1), 30–44. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Fonseca L. M. (2015). Strategic drivers for implementing sustainability programs in Portuguese organizations—Let's listen to Aristotle: From triple to quadruple bottom line. Sustainability: The Journal of Record (USA), 8(3), 136–142. https://doi.org/10.1089/SUS.2015.29004 Google Scholar Fonseca L. M., Ferro R. (2016). Does it pay to be social responsible? Portuguese SMEs feedback. Intangible Capital, 12(2), 487–505. https://doi.org/10.3926/ic.712 Google Scholar Fuller T., Tian Y. (2006). Social and symbolic capital and responsible entrepreneurship: An empirical investigation of SME narratives. Journal of Business Ethics, 67, 287–304. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Gadenne D. L., Kennedy J., McKeiver C. (2009). An empirical study of environmental awareness and practices in SMEs. Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 45–63. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Galani D., Gravas E., Stavropoulos A. (2012). Company characteristics and environmental policy. Business Strategy and the Environment, 21(4), 236–247. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Gallo P. J., Christensen L. J. (2011). Firm size matters: An empirical investigation of organizational size and ownership on sustainability-related behaviors. Business & Society, 50(2), 315–349. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar García-Pérez-de-Lema D., Gálvez-Albarracín E. J., Maldonado-Guzmán G. (2016). Efecto de la innovación en el crecimiento y el desempeño de las Mipymes de la Alianza del Pacífico. Un estudio empírico. Estudios Gerenciales, 32(141), 326–335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.estger.2016.07.003 Google Scholar Gerrans P., Hutchinson B. (2017). Sustainable development and small to mediumsized enterprises: A long way to go. In Hillary R. (Ed.), Small and medium-sized enterprises and the environment (pp. 75–81). Routledge. Crossref Google Scholar Godos-Díez J. L., Fernández-Gago R., Martínez-Campillo A. (2011). How important are CEOs to CSR practices? An analysis of the mediating effect of the perceived role of ethics and social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 98, 531–548. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Gök O., Peker S. (2017). Understanding the links among innovation performance, market performance and financial performance. Review of Managerial Science, 11, 605–631. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar González-Benito J., González-Benito Ó. (2005). Environmental proactivity and business performance: An empirical analysis. Omega, 33(1), 1–15. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar González-Cruz T., Clemente-Almendros J. A., Puig-Denia A. (2021). Family governance systems: The complementary role of constitutions and councils. Economic Research [Ekonomska istraživanja], 34(1), 3139–3165. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2020.1867603 Google Scholar Graafland J., Van de Ven B., Stoffele N. (2003). Strategies and instruments for organising CSR by small and large businesses in The Netherlands. Journal of Business Ethics, 47, 45–60. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Grant R. M. (1996). Prospering in dynamically-competitive environments: Organizational capability as knowledge integration. Organization Science, 7(4), 375–387. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Halme M., Korpela M. (2014). Responsible innovation toward sustainable development in small and medium-sized enterprises: A resource perspective. Business Strategy and the Environment, 23(8), 547–566. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Hausman A. (2005). Innovativeness among small businesses: Theory and propositions for future research. Industrial Marketing Management, 34(8), 773–782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2004.12.009 Google Scholar Heinonen K., Strandvik T. (2018). Reflections on customers' primary role in markets. European Management Journal, 36(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2017.09.005 Google Scholar Hemingway C. A., Maclagan P. W. (2004). Managers' personal values as drivers of corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 50, 33–44. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Hillary R. (2004). Environmental management systems and the smaller enterprise. Journal of Cleaner Production, 12(6), 561–569. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Hoogendoorn B., Guerra D., van der Zwan P. (2015). What drives environmental practices of SMEs? Small Business Economics, 44, 759–781. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Hoque H., Mu S. (2019). Partial private sector oversight in China's A-share IPO market: An empirical study of the sponsorship system. Journal of Corporate Finance, 56, 15–37. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Hörisch J., Johnson M. P., Schaltegger S. (2015). Implementation of sustainability management and company size: A knowledge-based view. Business Strategy and the Environment, 24(8), 765–779. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Horváth D., Szabó R. Z. (2019). Driving forces and barriers of Industry 4.0: Do multinational and small and medium-sized companies have equal opportunities? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 146, 119–132. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Hsu J. L., Cheng M. C. (2012). What prompts small and medium enterprises to engage in corporate social responsibility? A study from Taiwan. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 19(5), 288–305. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.276 Google Scholar Hsu W. T., Chen H. L., Cheng C. Y. (2013). Internationalization and firm performance of SMEs: The moderating effects of CEO attributes. Journal of World Business, 48(1), 1–12. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Hung R. Y. Y., Yang B., Lien B. Y. H., McLean G. N., Kuo Y. M. (2010). Dynamic capability: Impact of process alignment and organizational learning culture on performance. Journal of World Business, 45(3), 285–294. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Ilomäki M., Melanen M. (2001). Waste minimisation in small and medium-sized enterprises—Do environmental management systems help? Journal of Cleaner Production, 9(3), 209–217. Crossref Google Scholar Imran M., Salisu I., Aslam H. D., Iqbal J., Hameed I. (2019). Resource and information access for SME sustainability in the era of IR 4.0: The mediating and moderating roles of innovation capability and management commitment. Processes, 7(4), 211. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Jarque C. M., Bera A. K. (1987). A test for normality of observations and regression residuals. International Statistical Review [Revue Internationale de Statistique], 55(2), 163–172. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Jansson J., Nilsson J., Modig F., Hed Vall G. (2017). Commitment to sustainability in small and medium-sized enterprises: The influence of strategic orientations and management values. Business Strategy and the Environment, 26(1), 69–83. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1901 Google Scholar Johnson M. P. (2015). Sustainability management and small and medium-sized enterprises: Managers' awareness and implementation of innovative tools. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 22(5), 271–285. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1343 Google Scholar Kang J. (2013). The relationship between corporate diversification and corporate social performance. Strategic Management Journal, 34(1), 94–109. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Khanna M. (2001). Non-mandatory approaches to environmental protection. Journal of Economic Surveys, 15(3), 291–324. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Kogut B., Zander U. (1992). Knowledge of the firm, combinative capabilities, and the replication of technology. Organization Science, 3(3), 383–397. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Krotov V., Junglas I. (2006). Mobile technology as an enabler of organizational agility [Conference session]. 2006 International Conference on Mobile Business (pp. 20–20). IEEE. Crossref Google Scholar Laguir I., Laguir L., Elbaz J. (2016). Are family small-and medium-sized enterprises more socially responsible than nonfamily small-and medium-sized enterprises? Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 23(6), 386–398. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1384 Google Scholar Lee N. (2014). What holds back high-growth firms? Evidence from UK SMEs. Small Business Economics, 43, 183–195. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Leonidou L. C. (2000). Barriers to export management: An organizational and internationalization analysis. Journal of International Management, 6(2), 121–148. Crossref Google Scholar Levy M., Powell P. (1998). SME flexibility and the role of information systems. Small Business Economics, 11, 183–196. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Levy M., Powell P. (2000). Information systems strategy for small and medium sized enterprises: An organisational perspective. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 9(1), 63–84. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Lewis K. V., Cassells S., Roxas H. (2015). SMEs and the potential for a collaborative path to environmental responsibility. Business Strategy and the Environment, 24(8), 750–764. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1843 Google Scholar Li L., Li D., Dalgic T. (2004). Internationalization process of small and medium-sized enterprises: Toward a hybrid model of experiential learning and planning. MIR: Management International Review, 44(1), 93–116. Google Scholar Lichtenthaler U. (2009). Absorptive capacity, environmental turbulence, and the complementarity of organizational learning processes. Academy of Management Journal, 52(4), 822–846. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar López-Pérez M. E., Melero I., Javier Sesé F. (2017). Does specific CSR training for managers impact shareholder value? Implications for education in sustainable development. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 24(5), 435–448. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Lumley T., Diehr P., Emerson S., Chen L. (2002). The importance of the normality assumption in large public health data sets. Annual Review of Public Health, 23(1), 151–169. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.23.100901.140546 Google Scholar Luo Y. (2000). Dynamic capabilities in international expansion. Journal of World Business, 35(4), 355–378. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Madueno J. H., Jorge M. L., Conesa I. M., Martínez-Martínez D. (2016). Relationship between corporate social responsibility and competitive performance in Spanish SMEs: Empirical evidence from a stakeholders' perspective. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 19(1), 55–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brq.2015.06.002 Google Scholar Mao Y., Quan J. (2015). IT enabled organisational agility: Evidence from Chinese firms. Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (JOEUC), 27(4), 1–24. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Marco-Fondevila M., Moneva Abadía J. M., Scarpellini S. (2018). CSR and green economy: Determinants and correlation of firms' sustainable development. Corporate. Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 25(5), 756–771. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1492 Google Scholar Martin G., Staines H. (1994). Managerial competences in small firms. Journal of Management Development, 13(7), 23–34. Crossref Google Scholar Martín-Tapia I., Aragón-Correa J. A., Rueda-Manzanares A. (2010). Environmental strategy and exports in medium, small and micro-enterprises. Journal of World Business, 45(3), 266–275. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Meister D. (2017). Entrepreneurial firms and information systems capabilities [Conference session]. Twenty-Third Americas Conference on Information Systems, Boston, MA, United States (pp. 1–5). IEEE. Google Scholar Mudalige D., Ismail N. A., Malek M. A. (2019). Exploring the role of individual level and firm level dynamic capabilities in SMEs' internationalization. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 17, 41–74. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Mumford M. D., Todd E. M., Higgs C., McIntosh T. (2017). Cognitive skills and leadership performance: The nine critical skills. The Leadership Quarterly, 28(1), 24–39. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Murillo D., Lozano J. M. (2006). SMEs and CSR: An approach to CSR in their own words. Journal of Business Ethics, 67, 227–240. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Ndubisi N. O., Zhai X. A., Lai K. H. (2021). Small and medium manufacturing enterprises and Asia's sustainable economic development. International Journal of Production Economics, 233, 107971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.107971 Google Scholar Neirotti P., Raguseo E., Paolucci E. (2017). Flexible work practices and the firm's need for external orientation: An empirical study of SMEs. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 30(6), 922–943. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Nejatian M., Zarei M. H. (2013). Moving towards organizational agility: Are we improving in the right direction? Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 14, 241–253. Crossref Google Scholar Norburn D., Birley S. (1988). The top management team and corporate performance. Strategic Management Journal, 9(3), 225–237. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar OECD. (2021). The digital transformation of SMEs. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/bdb9256a-en Google Scholar O'Regan N., Sims M. A. (2008). Identifying high technology small firms: A sectoral analysis. Technovation, 28(7), 408–423. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Overby E., Bharadwaj A., Sambamurthy V. (2006). Enterprise agility and the enabling role of information technology. European Journal of Information Systems, 15, 120–131. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Pelham A. M. (1999). Influence of environment, strategy, and market orientation on performance in small manufacturing firms. Journal of Business Research, 45(1), 33–46. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Perrini F., Russo A., Tencati A., Vurro C. (2011). Deconstructing the relationship between corporate social and financial performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 102(Suppl. 1), 59–76https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-1194-1 Google Scholar Petersen B., Pedersen T., Lyles M. A. (2008). Closing knowledge gaps in foreign markets. Journal of International Business Studies, 39, 1097–1113. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Petts J. (2000). The regulator—Regulated relationship and environmental protection: Perceptions in small and medium-sized enterprises. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 18(2), 191–206. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Pisano G. P. (1994). Knowledge, integration, and the locus of learning: An empirical analysis of process development. Strategic Management Journal, 15(S1), 85–100. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Pisano G. P. (2015). A normative theory of dynamic capabilities: Connecting strategy, know-how, and competition (Working Paper No. 16-036). Harvard Business School Technology and Operations Management Unit. Google Scholar Pisano G. P., Teece D. (1994). The dynamic capabilities of firms: An introduction. Industrial and Corporate Change, 3(3), 537–556. Crossref Google Scholar Podsakoff P. M., MacKenzie S. B., Podsakoff N. P., Lee J. Y. (2003). The mismeasure of man (agement) and its implications for leadership research. The Leadership Quarterly, 14(6), 615–656. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Priem R. L., Butler J. E. (2001). Is the resource-based "view" a useful perspective for strategic management research? Academy of Management Review, 26(1), 22–40. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Quinn J. J. (1997). Personal ethics and business ethics: The ethical attitudes of owner/managers of small business. Journal of Business Ethics, 16, 119–127. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Rabal-Conesa J., Jiménez-Jiménez D., Martínez-Costa M. (2022). Organisational agility, environmental knowledge and green product success. Journal of Knowledge Management, 26(9), 2440–2462. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Razmi B., Mohammad Ghasemi H. (2015). Designing a model of organizational agility: A case study of Ardabil Gas Company. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 4, 1–18. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Revell A., Stokes D., Chen H. (2010). Small businesses and the environment: Turning over a new leaf? Business Strategy and the Environment, 19(5), 273–288. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Ridwandono D., Subriadi A. P. (2019). IT and organizational agility: A critical literature review. Procedia Computer Science, 161, 151–159. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Roberts N., Grover V. (2012). Leveraging information technology infrastructure to facilitate a firm's customer agility and competitive activity: An empirical investigation. Journal of Management Information Systems, 28(4), 231–270. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Rodríguez Bolívar M. P., Garde Sánchez R., López Hernández A. M. (2015). Managers as drivers of CSR in state-owned enterprises. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 58(5), 777–801. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Roy M. J., Thérin F. (2008). Knowledge acquisition and environmental commitment in SMEs. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 15(5), 249–259. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Rubio-Andrés M., del Mar Ramos-González M., Sastre-Castillo M. Á., Gutiérrez-Broncano S. (2023). Stakeholder pressure and innovation capacity of SMEs in the COVID-19 pandemic: Mediating and multigroup analysis. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 190, 122432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122432 Google Scholar Sambamurthy V., Bharadwaj A., Grover V. (2003). Shaping agility through digital options: Reconceptualizing the role of information. MIS Quarterly, 27(2), 237–263. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Sambamurthy V., Wei K. K., Lim K., Lee D. (2007). IT-enabled organizational agility and firms' sustainable competitive advantage [Conference session]. ICIS 2007 Proceedings (p. 91). International Conference on Information Systems. Google Scholar Sánchez-Bayón A. (2023). Digital transition and readjustment on EU tourism industry. Studies in Business & Economics, 18(1), 275–297. https://doi.org/10.2478/sbe-2023-0015 Google Scholar Schweizer R., Vahlne J. E., Johanson J. (2010). Internationalization as an entrepreneurial process. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 8, 343–370. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Shahzad M., Qu Y., Zafar A. U., Rehman S. U., Islam T. (2020). Exploring the influence of knowledge management process on corporate sustainable performance through green innovation. Journal of Knowledge Management, 24(9), 2079–2106. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Sikora A. (2021). European green deal—Legal and financial challenges of the climate change [Paper presentation]. Era Forum (Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 681–697). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Google Scholar Simpson M., Taylor N., Barker K. (2004). Environmental responsibility in SMEs: Does it deliver competitive advantage? Business Strategy and the Environment, 13(3), 156–171. Crossref Google Scholar Singh S. K., Del Giudice M., Chierici R., Graziano D. (2020). Green innovation and environmental performance: The role of green transformational leadership and green human resource management. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 150, 119762. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Singh S. K., Mittal S., Sengupta A., Pradhan R. K. (2019). A dual-pathway model of knowledge exchange: Linking human and psychosocial capital with prosocial knowledge effectiveness. Journal of Knowledge Management, 23(5), 889–914. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Spence L. J. (1999). Does size matter? The state of the art in small business ethics. Business ethics: A European review, 8(3), 163–174. Crossref Google Scholar Spence L. J., Rutherfoord R. (2003). Small business and empirical perspectives in business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 47, 1–5. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Street C. T., Gallupe B., Baker J. (2017). Strategic alignment in SMEs: Strengthening theoretical foundations. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 40(1), 20. Google Scholar Strike V. M., Gao J., Bansal P. (2006). Being good while being bad: Social responsibility and the international diversification of US firms. Journal of International Business Studies, 37, 850–862. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400226 Google Scholar Sulich A., Rutkowska M. (2020). Green jobs, definitional issues, and the employment of young people: An analysis of three European Union countries. Journal of Environmental Management, 262, 110314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110314 Google Scholar Sun J., Sarfraz M., Turi J. A., Ivascu L. (2022). Organizational agility and sustainable manufacturing practices in the context of emerging economy: A mediated moderation model. Processes, 10(12), 2567. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Takeuchi R., Lepak D. P., Wang H., Takeuchi K. (2007). An empirical examination of the mechanisms mediating between high-performance work systems and the performance of Japanese organizations. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(4), 1069. Crossref PubMed Web of Science Google Scholar Tallon P. P., Pinsonneault A. (2011). Competing perspectives on the link between strategic information technology alignment and organizational agility: Insights from a mediation model. MIS Quarterly, 35(2), 463–486. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Teece D. J. (2014). A dynamic capabilities-based entrepreneurial theory of the multinational enterprise. Journal of International Business Studies, 45, 8–37. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Teece D. J., Pisano G., Shuen A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509–533. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Tencati A., Perrini F., Pogutz S. (2004). New tools to foster corporate socially responsible behavior. Journal of Business Ethics, 53, 173–190. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Tilley F. (1999). Small-firm environmental strategy. Greener Management International, 25, 1–67. Google Scholar Tiwari R. K., Tiwari J. K. (2020). Prioritisation of attributes of green leanness and agility to achieve sustainable strategic advantages in Indian automotive SMEs environment. International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 36(3), 316–338. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJISE.2020.110931 Google Scholar Ubrežiová I., Kozáková J., Malejčíková A. (2015). Corporate social responsibility and perception of environmental pillar in the selected set of the Slovak enterprises. Procedia Economics and Finance, 34, 542–549. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Udayasankar K. (2008). Corporate social responsibility and firm size. Journal of Business Ethics, 83(2), 167–175. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Uhlaner L., Ulijn J., Jenniskens I., Groen A. (2011). Social, cultural and human capital in European SMEs: An introduction. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 14(1), 1–12. Crossref Google Scholar UN Global Compact. (2016). La guía para la acción empresarial en Los ODS. SDG Compass. Google Scholar Van N. T. A., Hieu N. K. (2018). Factors affecting the achievement of environmental standard certificates (ESC) at small and medium Vietnamese enterprises [Conference session]. 2018 4th International Conference on Green Technology and Sustainable Development (GTSD) (pp. 460–465). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/GTSD.2018.8595525 Google Scholar Vörösmarty G., Dobos I. (2020). Green purchasing frameworks considering firm size: A multicollinearity analysis using variance inflation factor. Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal, 21(4), 290–301. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Waldman D. A., Bass B. M. (1991). Transformational leadership at different phases of the innovation process. The Journal of High Technology Management Research, 2(2), 169–180. Crossref Google Scholar Waldman D. A., Siegel D. (2008). Defining the socially responsible leader. The Leadership Quarterly, 19(1), 117–131. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Waldman D. A., Sully de Luque M., Washburn N., House R. J., Adetoun B., Barrasa A., Wilderom C. P. (2006). Cultural and leadership predictors of corporate social responsibility values of top management: A GLOBE study of 15 countries. Journal of International Business Studies, 37, 823–837. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Walter A. T. (2021). Organizational agility: Ill-defined and somewhat confusing? A systematic literature review and conceptualization. Management Review Quarterly, 71, 343–391. Crossref Google Scholar Wamba S. F., Carter L. (2016). Social media tools adoption and use by SMEs: An empirical study. Journal of End User and Organizational Computing, 26(1), 1–16. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Wang C. L., Ahmed P. K. (2007). Dynamic capabilities: A review and research agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 9(1), 31–51. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Wang G., Holmes R. M. Jr., Oh I. S., Zhu W. (2016). Do CEOs matter to firm strategic actions and firm performance? A meta-analytic investigation based on upper echelons theory. Personnel Psychology, 69(4), 775–862. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Weerawardena J., Mort G. S., Liesch P. W., Knight G. (2007). Conceptualizing accelerated internationalization in the born global firm: A dynamic capabilities perspective. Journal of World Business, 42(3), 294–306. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Wernerfelt B. (1984). A resource-based view of the firm. Strategic Management Journal, 5(2), 171–180. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar White H. (1980). A heteroskedasticity-consistent covariance matrix estimator and a direct test for heteroskedasticity. Econometrica, Journal of the Econometric Society, 48(4), 817–838. https://doi.org/10.2307/1912934 Google Scholar Wiersema M. F., Bantel K. A. (1992). Top management team demography and corporate strategic change. Academy of Management Journal, 35(1), 91–121. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Younis H., Sundarakani B. (2020). The impact of firm size, firm age and environmental management certification on the relationship between green supply chain practices and corporate performance. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 27(1), 319–346. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Zaini M. K., Masrek M. N. (2013). Conceptualizing the relationships between information security management practices and organizational agility [Conference session]. 2013 International Conference on Advanced Computer Science Applications and Technologies (pp. 269–273). IEEE. Crossref Google Scholar Zott C. (2003). Dynamic capabilities and the emergence of intraindustry differential firm performance: Insights from a simulation study. Strategic Management Journal, 24(2), 97–125. Crossref Web of Science Google Scholar Zou S., Stan S. (1998). The determinants of export performance: A review of the empirical literature between 1987 and 1997. International Marketing Review, 15(5), 333–356.