Fostering Sustainability in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises : Generali SME EnterPRIZE White Paper

Abstract

The White Paper is promoted by Generali as part of the SME EnterPRIZE project, which aims to create an European platform providing increased visibility to sustainable SMEs and inspiring small and medium entrepreneurs to adopt more responsible business models. The White Paper has been developed by SDA Bocconi School of Management with the support of researchers from a network of EU universities in eight selected countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Switzerland). The objective of this White Paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to provide an exhaustive overview of the managerial literature of recent years on sustainability and SMEs, combined with the evidence drawn from the most up-to-date "grey literature" (i.e. non scientific studies, reports, analyses) on the subject. Secondly, it is intended to provide an initial systematisation of the tools and initiatives currently available to bring SMEs on board with the sustainability agenda. The document is primarily intended for SMEs, especially with regard to the elements relating to the benefits of adopting a sustainability strategy, and the description of the tools and initiatives that can be activated. The White Paper is also intended for policy makers, institutions, large companies, the financial world, research and academia, who are called upon to synergistically enable the just sustainable transition of SMEs, i.e. a transition compatible with SMEs’ resources and capacities, through the effective development of additional tools and initiatives, and their transposition or adaptation according to the actual needs and capabilities of these companies. The literature on the subject, analysed for this document, counts more than 3,000 sources, in addition to several hundreds of reports, studies, and analyses conducted by institutions, research centres and business associations at international and local level. The initial desk research was combined with a thorough review at national level in the eight selected countries of interest.