Loading...
A New Zealand and Australian overview of ethics and sustainability in SMEs
Collins, Eva Dickie, Carolyn Weber, Paull
Collins, Eva
Dickie, Carolyn
Weber, Paull
Author(s)
Author(s) (Additional)
Illustrator(s)
Producer(s)
Contributor(s)
Contributor(s) (Other)
Editor(s)
Advisor(s)
Contact(s)
Data Collector(s)
Keywords
GE Subjects
Collections
Files
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Online Access
Abstract
There is a dearth of research on ethics and sustainability related to SMEs in New Zealand and Australia. This paper begins by giving a definition of SMEs in New Zealand and Australia, which both differ somewhat from international definitions. The role of SMEs in New Zealand and Australian society is discussed and a description of one study in each country covering SMEs and sustainability is presented. Both studies found that owner-mangers undertake a number of triple bottom line activities, without overtly identifying these actions as sustainable practice. At the same time, both studies showed that an over-riding focus on the financial bottom-line may be a significant barrier to SMEs adopting further sustainability practices. The paper concludes with a call for additional research in the area of ethical and sustainable business practice in SMEs in Australia and New Zealand, identifying some promising areas of future investigation. Key words: SMEs, New Zealand, Australia, ethics, sustainability
Note(s)
Topic
Type
Article
Date
2009-11-01
Identifier
ISBN
DOI
Copyright/License
With permission of the license/copyright holder