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Knowledge, Not Desire, Keeps Small Firms from Going Green

Report

Knowledge, Not Desire, Keeps Small Firms from Going Green

Report

Published 11-07-12

Submitted by Network for Business Sustainability

Report on the 7 Challenges Small Companies Face in Going Green

In a report released by the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS), Canadian football team the MontréalAlouettes, Quebec furniture manufacturer Artopex Inc. and 10 other small businesses share the challenges they face in being environmentally and socially responsible.

“Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) create more than 80 per cent of new jobs in Canada every year,” said Marie-France Turcotte, author of the report, management professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, and Director of NBS’s French office. “SMEs also create 80 per cent of industry’s negative environmental impacts and more than 60 per cent of commercial waste. Clearly, conversations about sustainable business must include SMEs.”

To date, discussion around social and environmental responsibility has focused on large enterprises. This report, called SME Sustainability Challenges 2012, brings SMEs into the conversation. Since 2011, and with the support of the Quebec Ministry of Finance and Economy, NBS has helped SMEs become environmentally and socially responsible by connecting small business leaders to academic experts.

The challenges described in this report were defined by NBS’s SME Council – a group of SME business leaders and representatives from government and the non-profit sector. The council met for the first time in March 2012 at a one-day roundtable led by Turcotte. (See a list of SME Council members below.)

“I hope this report provides insight into SME needs for the industry associations, consultancies and NGOs that work for and with small organizations,” said Turcotte. “And for decision-makers working in government organizations, I hope this report illuminates SMEs’ unique challenges and capabilities.”

Any organization interested in funding research or establishing academic-industry partnerships to address any of the seven challenges is invited to contact NBS at info@nbs.net.

For more information contact Céline Fiorucci, Coordinator, French Office, Network for Business Sustainability: (514) 987-3000 x7898 cfiorucci@nbs.net

SME Council members

Artopex
IGA Cookshire
Insertech Angus
JAS Filtration Inc.
JS David Consultant Inc.
Montréal Alouettes
Ministry of Finance and Economy
Quartz Nature
Savons Prolav Inc.
SODER
St. Jean Collision Centre
Victor Innovatex
World Wildlife Fund

About the Network for Business Sustainability
The Network for Business Sustainability is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that connects thousands of researchers and business leaders worldwide, with the goal of creating new, sustainable business models for the 21st century. NBS receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University, the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and our Leadership Council.

Network for Business Sustainability logo

Network for Business Sustainability

Network for Business Sustainability

A Canadian non-profit, the Network for Business Sustainability produces authoritative resources on important sustainability issues - with the goal of changing management practice. We unite thousands of researchers and business leaders worldwide to develop sustainable business models for the 21st century.

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