Skip to main content

Partnerships as a Means to Improve the Conditions for Achieving Sustainability in SMEs

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering (CDVE 2023)

Abstract

Environmental sustainability is a global challenge that requires urgent action. Companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), play a crucial role in achieving a sustainable future. However, SMEs often face challenges due to limited resources making it difficult to initiate sustainability efforts independently. One way to overcome these challenges is through partnerships. However, only limited knowledge exists on establishing partnerships in practice to improve the conditions for achieving sustainability. Hence, this article highlights the significance of establishing a partnership to improve sustainability conditions in an SME. The topic is investigated through a single case study at a Danish SME. The case study shows several practical aspects to consider when setting up a partnership to improve the conditions for achieving sustainability in an SME. E.g., an attractive value proposition for the chosen stakeholder(s) and a real opportunity to gain insight into sustainability factors. The results of this study are limited and should only be regarded as preliminary.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Dzhengiz, T.: A literature review of inter-organizational sustainability learning. Sustainability 12(12), 4876 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Journeault, M., Perron, A., Vallières, L.: The collaborative roles of stakeholders in supporting the adoption of sustainability in SMEs. J. Environ. Manag. 287, 112349 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Rizos, V., et al.: Implementation of circular economy business models by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): barriers and enablers. Sustainability 8(11), 1212 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. EUROPEAN COMMISSION Homepage. https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/smes_en. Accessed 19 May 2023

  5. Fobbe, L.: Analysing organisational collaboration practices for sustainability. Sustainability 12(6), 2466 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Van Huijstee, M.M., Francken, M., Leroy, P.: Partnerships for sustainable development: a review of current literature. Environ. Sci. 4(2), 75–89 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. McAllister, R.R.J., Taylor, B.M.: Partnerships for sustainability governance: a synthesis of key themes. Curr. Opinion Environ. Sustain. 12, 86–90 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bäckstrand, K.: Multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development: rethinking legitimacy, accountability and effectiveness. Eur. Environ. 16(5), 290–306 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Frame, B., Taylor, R.: Partnerships for sustainability: effective practice? Local Environ. 10(3), 275–298 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hartman, C.L., Hofman, P.S., Stafford, E.R.: Partnerships: a path to sustainability. Bus. Strat. Environ. 8(5), 255–266 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. UNITED NATIONS Homepage. https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals#:~:text=The%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals%20(SDGs)%2C%20also%20known%20as%20the,people%20enjoy%20peace%20and%20prosperity. Accessed 19 May 2023

  12. Den Hollander, M.C., Bakker, C.A., Hultink, E.J.: Product design in a circular economy: development of a typology of key concepts and terms. J. Ind. Ecol. 21(3), 517–525 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kirchherr, J., Reike, D., Hekkert, M.: Conceptualizing the circular economy: an analysis of 114 definitions. Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 127, 221–232 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Esben Skov Laursen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Laursen, E.S., Pedersen, C.K., Bennyson, R. (2023). Partnerships as a Means to Improve the Conditions for Achieving Sustainability in SMEs. In: Luo, Y. (eds) Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering. CDVE 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14166. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43815-8_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43815-8_22

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-43814-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-43815-8

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics