Environmental management strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises: Why do SMBs practice environmental management?

Much of previous research on environmental management has concluded that large-scale enterprises pursue it because of issues of corporate social responsibility. However, why do small and medium-sized enterprises also follow this path? This study presents the results of a case study of corporate environmental management in Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises. They appear not to have taken up environmental management in response to social pressure, but because they consider environmental management offers opportunities for their business activities. In one case here, environmental management has contributed not just to the restitution of despoiled forest land, but also to the development of a company's own supply chain. The results suggest that the determinants of introduction of environmental management at small and medium-sized enterprises are strategic challenges likely to bring about competitive advantage. Asian Business & Management (2010) 9, 265-280. doi:10.1057/abm.2010.6