This article emphasizes the importance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and large companies in driving economic growth. SMEs are labour-intensive and agile, creating more jobs, while large companies are capital-intensive and rely on technology, having more resources for research and development. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, SMEs contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and job opportunities, while large companies dominate specific sectors. The research employs a multidisciplinary approach using an extensive literature review to summarize the current literature, highlight the economic impact of SMEs and large companies in GCC, and highlight the importance of large companies in developing local citizens. Policy-makers must consider these differences to integrate these dynamic changes for effective support policies. This study examines the economic impact of SMEs and large companies in the GCC region, providing recommendations to support large businesses. It addresses challenges and opportunities related to employment, household earnings, economic output, and value addition. Promoting the economic impact of SMEs and large companies can lead to sustainable economic growth and development in the GCC region. Also, this article pointed out the importance of large companies and their economic impact in the GCC region; policy recommendations will help the governing bodies in decision-making towards promoting sustainable economic growth.
The significant climate change the planet has faced in recent decades has prompted global leaders, policymakers, business leaders, environmentalists, academics, and scientists from around the world to unite their efforts since 1987 around sustainable development. This development not only promotes economic sustainability but also environmental, social, and corporate sustainability, where clean production, responsible consumption, and sustainable infrastructures prevail. In this context, the present article aims to propose a development framework for sustainability in food sector SMEs, which includes Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies as key elements to reduce CO2 emissions and improve operational efficiency. The methodology includes a comparative analysis of strategies implemented between 2019 and 2023, supported by quantitative data showing a 20% reduction in operating costs, a 10% increase in market share, and a 25% increase in productivity for companies that adopted clean technologies. This study offers a significant contribution to the field of corporate sustainability, providing a model that is adaptable and applicable across different regions, enhancing innovation and business resilience in a global context that requires collective efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals.
This study examines the challenges and needs faced by non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Colombia regarding the adopting of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly focusing on sections 3 and 4. Employing a mixed-method approach, the research combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Surveys were conducted with Colombia NPOs, official documents were analysed, and comparative case studies were performed. In-depth interviews and participant observation were also utilised to gain a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles and current practices within the Colombian context. The findings reveal that NPOs in Colombia encounter significant difficulties in adopting IFRS due to the complexity of the standards, lack of specialised resources, and the need for specific training. Internal challenges such as deficiencies in staff qualifications and training, resistance to change, and technological limitations were identified. Externally, ambiguities in the legal framework and donor requirements were highlighted. The case study illustrated that, while there are similarities between IFRS for SMEs and the IFR4NPO project, specific adaptations are essential to address the unique needs of NPOs. This research underscores the necessity of developing additional guidelines or modifying existing ones to enhance the interpretation and application of IFRS in Colombia NPOs. It is recommended to implement proactive strategies based on education and legislative reform to improve the transparency and comparability of financial information. Adopting a more tailored and supported accounting framework will facilitate a more relevant and sustainable implementation, benefiting Colombian NPOs in their resource management and accountability efforts.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in achieving environmental sustainability, particularly in developing economies where regulatory enforcement and resource constraints remain significant challenges. Drawing on Institutional Theory, this study examines how green leadership influences environmental performance in Ghanaian SMEs, with digital innovation as a mediating variable and environmental culture as a moderating variable. Institutional Theory provides the conceptual foundation for explaining how normative pressures embedded in leadership values and organizational culture, alongside mimetic pressures associated with digital innovation adoption, shape firms’ environmental outcomes. Using survey data collected from SMEs in Ghana and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the results revealed that green leadership has a significant positive effect on both digital innovation and environmental performance. Digital innovation also significantly enhances environmental performance and partially mediates the relationship between green leadership and environmental performance. Notably, the findings demonstrated that environmental culture significantly moderates the relationship between digital innovation and environmental performance, with the effect stronger in organizations with a well-developed environmental culture. This indicates that internalized environmental values amplify the effectiveness of digital innovation initiatives. The study contributes to the sustainability and organizational literature by extending Institutional Theory to the SME context in a developing economy and by clarifying the conditional role of environmental culture in translating digital innovation into superior environmental performance. Practically, the findings suggest that SME leaders and policymakers should promote environmentally oriented leadership, invest in digital innovation, and cultivate strong environmental cultures to enhance sustainability outcomes.
This study aims to develop and validate a strategic model tailored to the unique challenges and contexts faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ecuador, enhancing their operational efficiency and access to financing. Employing a quantitative approach, the research utilized a non-experimental, cross-sectional design to gather data from a sample of 358 companies. The study revealed that MSMEs are significantly hindered by limited access to financing, lack of managerial skills, and technological gaps. Despite these challenges, MSMEs demonstrated considerable adaptability and resilience, underscoring their critical role in the local economy. The strategic model proposed leverages Porter’s Diamond Model to identify and address the specific competitive and operational challenges encountered by these enterprises. Key findings include the necessity for enhanced financial literacy, simplified regulatory frameworks, and the integration of digital technologies to improve competitiveness. The proposed model focuses on strategic training, fostering innovation, and creating a more supportive financing environment. The implications of this study are profound, suggesting that policymakers and practitioners should streamline regulatory processes, enhance financial and technological support frameworks, and provide tailored training programs. These strategies are intended to bolster the sustainability and growth of MSMEs, contributing to broader economic development. This research contributes to the academic literature by providing empirical evidence on the challenges faced by MSMEs in developing economies and proposing a contextually adapted strategic model to mitigate these challenges, thereby enhancing their economic impact and sustainability.
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